Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the ultimate no-fuss dessert, combining the festive flair of Easter with the simplicity of cake mix baking. These soft, chewy cookie bars are packed with pastel-colored candies, sprinkles, and sweet vanilla flavor, making them perfect for holiday gatherings, kids’ parties, bake sales, or simply as a sweet treat to celebrate spring. Using a boxed cake mix as the base not only saves time but also ensures soft, moist bars every time—no need to worry about measuring flour, leavening agents, or sugar. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro looking for a fun and easy dessert, these cookie bars offer all the deliciousness of homemade treats with half the effort and all the joy. Their vibrant appearance and customizable flavor options make them a favorite for both kids and adults, and they’re ideal for making in big batches to share with family, friends, or classroom parties.
The History of Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
While traditional Easter desserts like hot cross buns, carrot cake, and simnel cake have long been associated with springtime celebrations, the rise of convenience baking in the mid-20th century brought new styles of festive treats into kitchens everywhere. Boxed cake mix, first introduced by companies like Pillsbury and Duncan Hines in the 1940s and 1950s, revolutionized home baking by making it more accessible and less time-consuming. Over the years, creative home bakers began adapting these mixes into cookies and bars, transforming the cake mix into a shortcut ingredient for chewy, flavorful treats with endless possibilities. With the growing popularity of seasonal baking and Pinterest-worthy desserts, Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars emerged as a colorful, candy-filled alternative to traditional holiday sweets. Combining the ease of cake mix with pastel M&M’s, sprinkles, and sometimes cream cheese or white chocolate chips, these bars quickly became an Easter staple—perfect for making memories in the kitchen with kids or whipping up a last-minute dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients Breakdown
1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or yellow cake mix – the shortcut base that provides structure, sweetness, and vanilla flavor
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted – adds richness and helps bind the mix together
2 large eggs – help give the bars structure and a soft, chewy texture
1 cup pastel-colored M&M’s or candy-coated chocolates – festive and colorful with chocolatey crunch
½ cup white chocolate chips – adds creaminess and sweetness to balance the cookie bar texture
¼ cup rainbow or pastel sprinkles – optional but adds a cheerful pop of color and crunch
Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth
Optional: pinch of salt – balances the sweetness and intensifies the other flavors
Step-by-Step Recipe
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Mix together using a spatula or electric mixer until a thick, sticky dough forms. Stir in the pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles (if using), folding them in gently so they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula or your hands. If desired, press a few extra M&M’s and sprinkles into the top for a colorful finish. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or rectangles. Serve on a platter, wrap for gifting, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips for the Perfect Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Use parchment paper in the baking dish for easy removal and clean-up—plus it makes slicing the bars neater. Don’t overmix the dough once the wet and dry ingredients are combined to avoid tough bars. For thicker, extra-soft bars, bake them in a smaller 9×9-inch pan and increase the bake time by 5–8 minutes. Press a few extra candies into the top before baking to make them look bakery-quality. Let the bars cool completely before slicing to help them hold their shape and avoid crumbling. For cleaner slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between each cut. If the dough feels too sticky, lightly grease your hands or spatula before pressing it into the pan. You can chill the bars slightly after baking for firmer edges, or serve them warm for a gooey, soft-center treat.
Variations and Customizations
Swap the vanilla cake mix for chocolate, strawberry, or funfetti cake mix to change the flavor and appearance. Use Easter-themed M&M’s, chopped Cadbury Mini Eggs, or malted milk eggs for variety in texture and color. Replace white chocolate chips with semisweet, dark chocolate, or even butterscotch chips for different flavor profiles. Add ½ cup of shredded coconut or chopped nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch and richness. Incorporate mini marshmallows or swirls of cream cheese for added gooeyness. Try mixing in crushed graham crackers or sandwich cookie pieces for a twist. Drizzle melted chocolate, white chocolate, or a pastel-colored glaze over the top once cooled for a bakery-style finish. Make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free cake mix and checking all candy mix-ins for gluten content. For a festive twist, use themed cookie cutters to cut the bars into egg or bunny shapes after cooling.
Health Considerations and Nutritional Value
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delicious indulgence and best enjoyed in moderation due to their sugar and calorie content. Each bar typically contains between 150–250 calories, depending on size and the type and amount of mix-ins. The combination of cake mix, butter, and candy makes them high in carbohydrates and saturated fats, so they’re best saved for special occasions. You can lighten them up slightly by using a reduced-sugar cake mix, swapping half the butter for unsweetened applesauce, or reducing the amount of candy and chocolate chips. Adding oats, chopped nuts, or using whole grain cake mix can also increase the fiber content. Be sure to check ingredient labels for allergens like gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy—especially if you’re sharing with guests or children with dietary restrictions. While not a health food, these cookie bars offer a fun and festive way to enjoy a seasonal treat and make sweet memories in the kitchen.
FAQ
Can I use any cake mix flavor? Yes! Vanilla and yellow are most popular, but chocolate, strawberry, lemon, or even spice cake mixes all work great depending on your flavor preference.
Do I need to chill the dough? Nope! Since the dough isn’t sticky or soft like traditional cookie dough, you can bake it right away.
Can I use oil instead of butter? Yes, you can use ½ cup of vegetable oil instead of melted butter, though the flavor and texture may be slightly different.
How long do these cookie bars last? They stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days, or you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I bake these in advance? Absolutely! You can bake them a day or two ahead of time—just store them covered to keep them soft.
What size pan should I use? A 9×13-inch pan works best for thinner, more shareable bars. For thicker, bakery-style bars, use a 9×9-inch pan and extend the bake time.
Why did my bars turn out dry? They may have been slightly overbaked—keep an eye on the edges and remove from the oven as soon as they turn golden.
Can I use other candy besides M&M’s? Definitely! Any candy-coated chocolate, chopped Easter candy, or even chocolate chips will work as a substitution.
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box 15.25 oz yellow cake mix – serves as the quick and flavorful base for the cookie bars
- 2 large eggs – provide structure and help bind the ingredients together
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil – adds moisture and richness to the dough
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances the sweetness and overall flavor
- 1 cup Easter M&M candies – brings a festive pop of color and crunchy texture
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – adds melty chocolate goodness in every bite
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, then set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gently fold in the Easter M&M candies and semi-sweet chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, then let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Make sure to let the bars cool completely before slicing—this step is essential for the best results, so don’t skip it!