If you’re pressed for time but craving a sweet treat that feels indulgent and homemade, the Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is going to become your new best friend. This delightful recipe combines the irresistible nostalgia of chocolate chip cookies with the ease and speed of a single-batter bake, delivering soft, chewy, chocolate-studded bars perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just want a simple dessert to whip up last minute, these bars promise a crowd-pleasing flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are not only straightforward but also create a wonderful balance of flavors and textures that make the bars so delicious. Each element plays a key role: butter adds richness, eggs bind everything together, yellow cake mix brings softness, and chocolate chips provide the classic melty sweetness.
- Butter (1 stick): Provides a rich, buttery flavor and helps keep the bars moist and tender.
- Eggs (2): These bind everything together and give structure to the bars.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box): Adds a tender crumb and classic cake-like softness to the bars.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 bag): The star ingredient that adds pockets of gooey chocolate, balancing sweetness and texture perfectly.
How to Make Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Start by melting the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Watching the butter soften and melt smoothly is the first step toward those rich, tender bars that everyone will love. Make sure it’s liquid but not bubbling hot to keep eggs from cooking prematurely.
Step 2: Whisk Eggs and Butter Together
Next, whisk the melted butter with the eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step helps integrate the fat and eggs, building the perfect creamy base for the batter.
Step 3: Stir in the Yellow Cake Mix
Add the yellow cake mix directly into the butter and egg mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until the batter becomes smooth, ensuring no lumps. The yellow cake mix is what makes this recipe “lazy”—no separate flour or sugar measuring needed.
Step 4: Fold in the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Carefully fold the chocolate chips into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed. This ensures every bite offers that perfect burst of chocolate goodness.
Step 5: Prepare and Press Batter in Pan
Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, then press the batter evenly into the pan. Spreading it out evenly is key so the bars bake uniformly and come out with that ideal chewy texture throughout.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes if you’re using a 9×13 inch pan. If your pan is smaller, expect the bake time to go up to 25-28 minutes. The bars are done when the edges turn golden, and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs.
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares to serve. This cooling time allows the bars to set and makes slicing much easier, revealing soft, chewy squares with melty chocolate chips inviting you to dive in.
How to Serve Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While these bars are fantastic all on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate can add an elegant touch. Fresh berries or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt also elevate the flavor profile and presentation beautifully.
Side Dishes
Pairing your cookie bars with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream can turn this simple dessert into a showstopper. A hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk always makes an excellent companion to these sweet bars, balancing sweetness with just the right contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or gathering, consider stacking the bars on a pretty tiered cake stand or placing them in colorful cupcake liners for easy individual servings. You can even cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters for festive occasions, adding a playful twist to this classic treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The bars store wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed helps retain that perfect chewy texture and prevents them from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They keep well for up to 2 months, making it easy to grab a sweet treat whenever a craving hits.
Reheating
To enjoy warm bars, simply microwave a piece for about 10 to 15 seconds. The chocolate chips soften nicely, and the bars regain that freshly baked feel. For several servings, warming them in a low oven works just as well.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic and yields a lovely buttery flavor, you can experiment with vanilla or even spice cake mixes to add new flavors to the bars.
Are these bars gluten-free?
Traditional yellow cake mix contains gluten, so this recipe as is is not gluten-free. However, you can try substituting with a gluten-free cake mix to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes! Adding chopped walnuts or pecans pairs beautifully with the chocolate chips and adds a delightful crunch. Stir them in along with the chocolate chips before baking.
What if I want the bars fudgier?
For a fudgier texture, try adding a couple tablespoons of cocoa powder to the batter and bake for slightly less time, checking frequently to avoid overbaking.
Can I use milk or dark chocolate chips instead?
Definitely! Semi-sweet chocolate chips are traditional, but milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips work great and can tweak the flavor profile to your liking.
Final Thoughts
The Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is truly a game-changer for anyone craving a homemade dessert without the hassle. It’s fast, tasty, and incredibly satisfying, making it perfect for everything from an everyday treat to a last-minute gathering dessert. Give it a try and watch how it quickly becomes a beloved staple in your recipe collection.
Print
Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a quick and easy dessert made with simple ingredients like yellow cake mix, eggs, butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. They have a soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor, perfect for satisfying cookie cravings without the fuss of individual cookies.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter (113g)
- 2 eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix (approximately 432g or one standard box)
Add-ins
- 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 10–12 oz / 285-340g)
Instructions
- Melt Butter: Melt the stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl until fully liquefied, about 30-45 seconds depending on your microwave.
- Mix Eggs: Whisk the melted butter together with the 2 eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring no streaks remain.
- Add Cake Mix: Gradually stir in the entire yellow cake mix to the butter and egg mixture until a smooth batter forms without lumps.
- Incorporate Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter to ensure every bite has a bit of chocolate.
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan lightly with butter or non-stick spray, then press the batter evenly into the pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 minutes if using a 9×13 inch pan. For smaller pans, bake for 25-28 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 equal squares. Serve and enjoy the soft, chewy chocolate chip bars!
Notes
- For even chocolate distribution, fold in the chips gently but thoroughly to avoid batter deflation.
- Using a toothpick to check doneness helps prevent overbaking which could dry out the bars.
- You can substitute the yellow cake mix with a vanilla or white cake mix for a slightly different flavor.
- To make cleanup easier, line the pan with parchment paper before greasing.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
