Cake Mix Toffee Bars

Absolutely! Here’s a long, detailed recipe for Cake Mix Toffee Bars—a chewy, buttery, golden bar dessert packed with toffee bits, chocolate, and rich brown sugar flavor. This easy treat uses a simple cake mix base but tastes bakery-level indulgent!

Cake Mix Toffee Bars

Category: Easy Desserts / Crowd-Pleaser Bars

Yields: One 9×13-inch pan (about 24 bars)

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 25–30 minutes

Total Time: ~45 minutes

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Texture: Soft, chewy, slightly crisp edges

Flavor Profile: Buttery, caramelly, nutty with pockets of toffee and chocolate

Why You’ll Love These Bars

Only a few ingredients and one bowl

• Starts with boxed cake mix, but tastes homemade

• Great for parties, potlucks, or make-ahead treats

• Loaded with toffee bits, melty chocolate, and a golden crust

Ingredients:

Base Layer:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

Add-ins:

• 1½ cups toffee bits (such as Heath Bits o’ Brickle)

• 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

• Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

• Optional: Pinch of flaky salt for topping

For a Drizzle (Optional but decadent):

• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk

• 1 tbsp butter

• ¼ cup extra chocolate chips or melted caramel sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan (5 minutes)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the Base Batter (5 minutes)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.

2. Mix with a spatula or hand mixer until everything is evenly blended and thick—almost like cookie dough.

3. Stir in 1 cup of the toffee bits and ¾ cup chocolate chips (and nuts if using).

Pro Tip: Don’t overmix—just combine until smooth and all add-ins are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Press into the Pan (2–3 minutes)

1. Transfer the dough into your prepared baking pan.

2. Press it evenly into the corners using your hands or a spatula. Wetting your hands slightly helps prevent sticking.

Step 4: Add Toppings & Optional Drizzle (5 minutes)

1. Sprinkle remaining toffee bits and chocolate chips on top.

2. For an optional gooey finish, melt ½ cup sweetened condensed milk with 1 tbsp butter and drizzle over the top.

• Or, drizzle melted chocolate or caramel sauce after baking for a cleaner look.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection (25–30 minutes)

1. Bake in preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until:

• The top is golden brown

• The center is set but slightly soft

• A toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter)

Note: The edges will crisp up beautifully while the middle stays soft and chewy.

Step 6: Cool and Slice (10–15 minutes)

1. Remove from oven and let bars cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes.

2. If using parchment, lift the whole slab out to cool on a wire rack.

3. Slice into squares or rectangles once fully cooled.

Serving Ideas:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

• Dust with powdered sugar for a classy finish

• Drizzle with chocolate ganache, salted caramel, or a pinch of sea salt

Storage Tips:

Room Temp: Store in an airtight container up to 5 days

Fridge: Stays fresh up to a week (let come to room temp before serving)

Freezer: Freeze bars individually wrapped for up to 3 months

Flavor Variations:

Spice it up: Add ½ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Swap mix: Use spice cake mix or chocolate cake mix

Add coconut: Mix in ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Nutty version: Use chopped almonds or macadamia nuts

Tips for Success:

• Don’t overbake—they’ll continue to set as they cool

• For gooier bars, bake slightly under (about 23 minutes)

• Let cool fully before slicing to get clean edges

• Use quality toffee bits and real butter for best flavor

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