Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars have saved dessert night in my house more times than I can count The entire pan comes together with a handful of pantry items and less than 10 minutes of prep making them my go to for last minute sweet cravings or when guests show up unexpectedly These bars are chewy soft and studded with melty chocolate making them irresistible fresh out of the oven or the next day if you have any left

My whole family now requests these bars at every gathering Friends always leave with the recipe and they have become famous for how reliably delicious they turn out

Ingredients

• Butter: melted for rich flavor go for high quality unsalted butter
• Large eggs: for binding and giving the bars their soft chewy texture
• Boxed yellow cake mix: the shortcut that brings everything together look for brands with good reviews and simple ingredients
• Semi sweet chocolate chips: for pockets of melted chocolate choose your favorite brand or chop up a quality chocolate bar for extra decadence
• Optional vanilla extract: builds extra warm flavor and aroma real vanilla matters for the best taste
• Optional salt: enhances the chocolate and balances sweetness fine sea salt works best here

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Set your oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and grease a nine by thirteen inch baking pan so the bars release easily

Melt the Butter:

In a large microwave safe bowl melt the butter in thirty second intervals until fully liquid Let it cool for a minute so the eggs will not scramble when added

Whisk in the Eggs:

Add the large eggs to the butter and whisk together until smooth glossy and fully combined If using vanilla this is the best moment to stir it in for even flavor

Add the Cake Mix:

Pour the complete box of yellow cake mix into the wet mixture Stir with a sturdy spoon or spatula The dough will become thick and sticky which is key for chewy bars

Fold in the Chocolate Chips:

Add the entire bag of semi sweet chocolate chips Mix them in thoroughly so every bite gets a good amount of chocolate This step might take a little effort the batter is dense

Press into the Pan:

Spread the batter evenly into your greased pan You can use a spatula or your clean hands Smooth the top so it bakes up evenly golden

Bake:

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for twenty to twenty three minutes until the bars are just set in the center and golden at the edges For a thicker style in a smaller pan bake for twenty five to twenty eight minutes

Cool and Slice:

Let the bars cool for at least fifteen minutes before slicing This lets them firm up a bit and makes cutting neater Enjoy them warm for gooey chocolate or let them cool completely for cleaner slices

The cake mix shortcut changed my baking game I love how it makes classic cookie dough possible in record time My daughter always volunteers to sprinkle the chocolate chips and every batch brings us together in the kitchen

Storage Tips

Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days If you want to keep them longer wrap the bars well and freeze for up to two months Defrost at room temperature or rewarm gently in the microwave for that just baked texture

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap yellow cake mix for white or even spice cake mix for a new twist If you are out of semisweet chocolate chips try milk chocolate chopped chocolate bar or even butterscotch chips in the same amount Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans if you like crunch

Serving Suggestions

For gatherings cut the bars into bite size squares and arrange on a dessert platter These are fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce If serving to little ones slice into fun shapes using cookie cutters

Cultural and Historical Context

These bars are a modern mashup of American cake mix cookies and classic chocolate chip bars They became popular as cake mixes grew common in home kitchens offering a quick fix for fresh baked treats The recipe is especially loved in busy households or at community potlucks

Seasonal Adaptations

Try adding crushed peppermint candies during winter months Fold in dried cranberries and orange zest for a holiday twist Use pastel colored chips for springtime gatherings

Success Stories

So many friends have written to say these bars were the hit of the bake sale or the quickest dessert to disappear at a family reunion Parents often share that their kids made the recipe nearly solo with success Such an easy win for new bakers

Freezer Meal Conversion

After cooling slice the bars and wrap portions tightly Freeze in zipper bags or containers To serve just pull out as many bars as you need and thaw at room temperature They stay chewy and delicious

Pour a cold glass of milk and savor every gooey bite These bars make any moment feel like a celebration

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use white or milk chocolate chips?

Yes, you can swap semi-sweet chips for white or milk chocolate for a different flavor twist.

→ What if I only have a smaller baking pan?

Bake longer—about 25–28 minutes—for thicker bars. Watch for golden edges and set centers.

→ Is it necessary to include vanilla extract?

No, but vanilla adds depth. Try it if you want extra aroma and flavor complexity.

→ How do I keep bars from sticking to the pan?

Grease the pan well with butter or nonstick spray before pressing in the dough.

→ Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?

Yes, fold in your favorite nuts or candies along with the chocolate chips for added texture.