Name: Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookies – 4 Ingredients & 1 Bowl!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz); ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

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When you’re in the mood for something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the answer. These bars are the perfect solution when you crave homemade cookies but are short on time or energy. With just a few simple ingredients, including yellow cake mix, butter, and chocolate chips, you can whip up a batch of deliciously chewy, gooey cookie bars that everyone will love.

Using a cake mix as the base is the secret to this quick and easy recipe. It eliminates the need for measuring out flour, sugar, and baking powder, which saves you time and cleanup. The result? Soft, chewy cookie bars with a golden crust and plenty of chocolate chips in every bite.

In Part 1, we’ll go over the ingredients and get started with the first few steps of the recipe to ensure you can easily bake up these delicious cookie bars in no time.

Ingredients for Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars:

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need to make these easy and indulgent cookie bars:

Main Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 oz) – The base of the bars, providing that soft, chewy texture you expect from a cookie.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted – Adds richness and moisture, helping the dough come together.
2 large eggs – Bind the ingredients together and help create that perfect cookie texture.
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips – The star of the show! You can use more if you like your cookies extra chocolatey.

Equipment Needed:

Baking sheet – For baking the cookie bars.
Parchment paper or grease – To prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is hot enough for the bars to bake evenly. While the oven is heating up, get your baking sheet ready by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookie bars from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Stir everything together until you form a thick dough. The cake mix gives the dough its structure, and the butter adds moisture to make it chewy. You’ll want the dough to be thick enough to scoop and form into bars without being too runny.

Baking and Serving Your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars:

Now that you have your dough ready, it’s time to finish up these delicious Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. With just a few more simple steps, you’ll be ready to enjoy a batch of warm, chewy, chocolatey goodness. Let’s get to it!

Step 3: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Once the dough is mixed, it’s time to add the chocolate chips. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly, making sure they are distributed throughout the dough. This step is essential to ensure every bite of your cookie bars has plenty of that melty, gooey chocolate. You can add more or less chocolate chips depending on your personal preference—feel free to get generous if you’re a chocolate lover!

Step 4: Scoop and Arrange the Dough

Now that the chocolate chips are mixed in, it’s time to shape the bars. Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and drop them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This will ensure the bars have enough space to spread out as they bake, giving them that perfect cookie shape. Since we’re making cookie bars, you don’t need to shape the dough into perfect balls—just a simple spoonful will do the trick.

If you prefer a more uniform bar shape, you can press the dough down slightly to flatten them a bit before baking.

Step 5: Bake the Cookie Bars

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. The cookies should still feel soft when you press them in the middle, as they will continue to firm up as they cool. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking to make sure they don’t overcook.

For those who like a slightly chewy center with crisp edges, err on the side of slightly underbaking. If you prefer them firmer, you can bake them for the full 12 minutes. Either way, you’ll get a perfectly baked treat!

Step 6: Cool the Cookie Bars

Once the bars are out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling time helps them firm up and makes them easier to slice and serve.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars have cooled, it’s time to dig in! These bars are perfect as a quick dessert for a weeknight treat or for sharing at parties, potlucks, or gatherings. Their soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can cut them into squares or rectangles—whatever shape you prefer.

These bars are also great served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzled with a little chocolate syrup for extra indulgence.

FAQ & Final Thoughts – Your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Questions Answered:

Now that you’ve made and enjoyed your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, let’s go over some frequently asked questions to help you troubleshoot any issues, explore more ways to enjoy this recipe, and customize it to your taste. We’ll also wrap up with some final thoughts on why these cookie bars are sure to be a staple in your dessert repertoire.

1. Can I use a different cake mix for these cookie bars?

Yes! While this recipe uses yellow cake mix, you can easily switch it up for other cake mixes to create different flavor profiles. For instance, you could use chocolate cake mix for a double chocolate version or white cake mix for a lighter, more delicate bar. Each variation will offer a different twist, while still keeping the recipe quick and simple.

2. Can I make these bars healthier?

If you’re looking to lighten up these Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, here are a few simple substitutions:

Use applesauce instead of butter for a lower-fat version.
Swap out the chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips or even try mini chocolate chips for a more controlled sweetness.
If you want to lower the sugar content, you can use a sugar substitute like Stevia or monk fruit in place of some of the powdered sugar.
For a more fiber-filled option, consider using whole wheat cake mix if available.

Keep in mind that these substitutions may alter the flavor or texture slightly, but they can make the bars a bit lighter if you’re looking for a healthier option.

3. Can I freeze the dough or baked cookie bars?

Yes, you can freeze the dough if you want to make these cookie bars ahead of time. After mixing the dough, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about 1-2 hours until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen dough directly on a baking sheet and bake for an extra 1-2 minutes.

If you want to freeze the baked cookie bars, allow them to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Frozen cookie bars will last for about 2-3 months. When ready to eat, simply thaw at room temperature or reheat in the oven for a few minutes for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.

4. Can I add other mix-ins to these cookie bars?

Absolutely! These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are very versatile. You can mix in a variety of ingredients to add your personal touch:

Nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunchy texture.
Peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips for an additional flavor layer.
Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or coconut flakes for a fruity twist.
You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract to deepen the flavor.

Feel free to get creative with your add-ins!

5. How do I store the cookie bars?

Once your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for a week. Just make sure they’re completely cool before storing to prevent condensation from making them soggy.

Final Thoughts:

These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the ultimate quick dessert, combining the ease of a cake mix with the irresistible flavor of a homemade cookie. The texture is perfectly chewy, the chocolate is rich and melty, and the recipe is so simple that even beginner bakers will have no trouble mastering it. Whether you’re baking for a party, a potluck, or just satisfying a sweet craving, this recipe is sure to be a hit.

What I love about this recipe is its versatility. You can tweak the ingredients to make it your own, swap in your favorite mix-ins, and even play around with different types of cake mixes. It’s the perfect dessert to make when you want something that feels homemade but doesn’t require a lot of effort.

So next time you’re in the mood for something sweet, try these Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars—they’re quick, delicious, and guaranteed to bring smiles all around!

Enjoy your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, and happy baking!