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Cake Bars are the perfect go-to when you want something sweet, simple, and utterly irresistible. With just a few basic ingredients and a little creativity, you can whip up a batch of these delightful treats in no time.
The beauty of cake bars is their versatility. Feel free to experiment with various cake mix flavors and add-ins to create endless combinations of taste and texture. Lemon cake mix with blueberries, red velvet with white chocolate chips, or even carrot cake with chopped walnuts – the possibilities are endless!
Cake Bars
Cake bars offer all the deliciousness of a cake but in a more convenient and portable form. They’re easy to make, require minimal cleanup, and can be cut into individual servings, making them perfect for parties or gatherings.
With so many cake mix flavors available, there’s something for everyone’s taste. From classic chocolate and vanilla to decadent red velvet or zesty lemon, cake bars offer a variety of flavor options.
Ingredients
- Box of cake mix
- Butter
- Eggs
- 1 cup Add-ins of your choice: candy pieces, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, etc.
Keep scrolling to find a full, printable recipe with a detailed ingredient list.
Recipe Instructions
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan with non-stick spray or butter. Optionally, use parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until well blended. This forms the base of your cake bars.
- Add Your Flair: Stir in your favorite candies, chocolate chips, nuts, or sprinkles (about 1 cup) to the batter. Get creative with flavors!
- Spread and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until slightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and Unmold: Let the cake bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out easily.
- Serve and Enjoy: Cut the cake bars into squares or rectangles, and indulge in these delectable treats!
Frequently Asked Questions
Cake bars are a delightful dessert made by baking cake batter in a rectangular or square pan, resulting in a thick, chewy, and portable treat that can be easily sliced into individual servings.
Cake bars can be made with any cake mix flavor you prefer, such as chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, lemon, or even carrot cake. The choice of flavor depends on your personal taste and the occasion.
To keep your cake bars moist, avoid overbaking them. Check them a few minutes before the recommended baking time using a toothpick – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they are ready. Overbaking can result in dry and crumbly bars.
More Recipes
- Birthday Cupcakes
- Red White and Blue Sugar Cookie Bars
- Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
- S’mores Cookie Bars
- 7 Layer Bars
If you’ve tried this Cake Bars recipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
Cake Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box of cake mix, (your preferred flavor)
- 1/2 cup butter, (salted or unsalted), melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Add-ins of your choice, (candy pieces, chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This allows the oven to reach the correct temperature for an even bake.
- Grease a 13×9 inch baking pan. You can use a non-stick cooking spray or additional butter for this. Lining the pan with parchment paper is also recommended. Ensure the parchment extends over the edge of the pan – this overhang will help you lift the baked cake bars out easily once they are done.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the box of cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Use a whisk or an electric mixer to ensure that the ingredients are well blended. This mixture forms the base of your cake bars.
- Stir in your chosen add-ins to the batter. Be creative and use your favorite candies or flavors. The amount to use will depend on your preference, but a good starting point is 1 cup.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Please note that oven temperatures can vary, so it's a good idea to check the cake bars a little before the recommended baking time. They should be slightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the bars should come out clean.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cake bars to cool completely in the pan. This step is crucial for the cake bars to hold their shape.
- After the cake bars have completely cooled, use the overhanging parchment paper to lift them out of the pan.
- Cut the large cake bar into smaller squares or rectangles as per your preference.
Notes
- The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. We have tried it with a white cake mix with M&Ms and sprinkles for a fun, festive version. For a richer, more indulgent treat, we used chocolate cake mix, peanut butter chips, peanuts, and Reese’s Pieces.
- Be aware that different add-ins may alter the baking time slightly. Always check your bars a few minutes before the recommended baking time to prevent over-baking.
- Store your cake bars in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. They can be kept at room temperature for about a week, or refrigerated to extend their shelf-life.
Nutrition
Cake bars offer a simple and scrumptious way to enjoy the flavors of a cake in a convenient and shareable form, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. They are really so simple to make and taste delicious.
