Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: The Easiest Treat You’ll Ever Bake

Looking for a dessert that’s quick, foolproof, and ridiculously delicious? These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars check all the boxes! Made with just a handful of pantry staples — including a boxed cake mix — this recipe takes only minutes to whip up and is perfect for last-minute cravings, potlucks, or baking with kids.

With a chewy, buttery base and rich chocolate chips in every bite, these cookie bars taste like you spent hours in the kitchen… but you didn’t.

Let’s get baking — you’re just 6 steps away from soft, gooey cookie bar heaven.

 Ingredients (Serves 12–16)

Here’s everything you need to make these bars from scratch — or rather, almost scratch!

• 1 stick of butter (½ cup or 113 g), melted

• 2 eggs, large

• 1 box yellow cake mix (approx. 15.25 oz / 432 g)

• 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (12 oz / 340 g)

Optional additions:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for extra flavor)

• ½ tsp salt (if using unsalted butter)

 Instructions

These bars come together in under 10 minutes of prep time!

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or line it with parchment paper for easy removal).

2. Melt the Butter

In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 30-second bursts until fully liquid (but not boiling).

Let it cool slightly — you don’t want scrambled eggs in the next step!

3. Whisk in the Eggs

Add the eggs to the melted butter and whisk until smooth and combined. You can also add 1 tsp vanilla extract at this point for extra depth.

4. Add the Cake Mix

Stir in the full box of yellow cake mix. The dough will be thick — don’t worry, that’s what gives the bars their chewy texture.

5. Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Pour in the entire bag of chocolate chips and mix until evenly distributed. You’ll need a strong spoon — it’s a workout!

6. Press into the Pan

Using a spatula or clean hands, press the dough evenly into your greased 9×13 pan. Smooth out the top so it bakes evenly.

7. Bake

• For a 9×13 pan: Bake for 20–23 minutes until golden around the edges and just set in the center.

• For a smaller, thicker pan (like 8×8 or 9×9): Bake for 25–28 minutes.

Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm and gooey or fully cooled — your call!

Time Overview

 Estimated Calories (Per Bar)

(Based on 16 bars from a 9×13 pan)

Values may vary based on brand of cake mix and chocolate chips used.

 Tips for Perfect Bars Every Time

 Use Good Chocolate

Semi-sweet chips are classic, but feel free to use:

• Milk chocolate for sweeter bars

• Dark chocolate for a richer flavor

• White chocolate or peanut butter chips for a twist

 Don’t Overbake!

For that perfect chewy center, remove the bars from the oven when the center is just set — they’ll continue cooking as they cool.

 Add Salt for Balance

If your cake mix is very sweet, a pinch of salt or using salted butter helps balance the flavors.

 Want a cakier texture?

Add 3 eggs instead of 2 for a fluffier bite.

 Fun Variations

This base recipe is endlessly customizable. Here are a few tasty ideas to try:

 Birthday Cookie Bars

• Add rainbow sprinkles to the dough and top with a cream cheese glaze!

 Peanut Butter Lovers

• Swirl ¼ cup of peanut butter into the dough before baking.

• Or use peanut butter chips instead of chocolate.

Candy Explosion

• Replace chocolate chips with chopped candy bars (Snickers, M&M’s, Reese’s…).

 Fall Edition

• Use spice cake mix instead of yellow and add white chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

 Storage & Make-Ahead

These bars store beautifully!

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Fridge: Lasts up to 1 week (reheat for 10 seconds to soften).

• Freezer: Freeze sliced bars in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp.

 Why We Love These Bars

• Super fast to make (no mixers, no chill time)

• Kid-friendly — perfect for helping hands

• Great for parties, bake sales, or school treats

• Only 4 ingredients and always a crowd-pleaser

It’s the definition of lazy baking — minimal effort, maximum payoff.

 Recipe Recap (Printable)

Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter (melted)

• 2 eggs

• 1 yellow cake mix

• 1 bag chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Melt butter

2. Whisk in eggs

3. Stir in cake mix

4. Fold in chocolate chips

5. Press into greased pan

6. Bake at 350°F — 9×13 pan for 20–23 min or smaller pan for 25–28 min

Let cool. Slice. Enjoy!

 Perfect For:

• Lazy weekends

• Potlucks

• Bake sales

• Movie nights

• Rainy day treats

• When you “need chocolate NOW”

 Want More Lazy Desserts?

Let me know if you’d like similar recipes like:

• Lazy S’mores Bars

• 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

• Cake Mix Brownies

• No-bake Oreo Cheesecake Cups

 Final Thoughts

These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are proof that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be amazing. With just 4 ingredients, one bowl, and no fancy equipment, you can create a gooey, golden treat that’s better than anything from the bakery.

So next time you’re craving something sweet but don’t feel like baking from scratch — this is your answer.

Go ahead. Be lazy. Bake cookies anyway.