These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are chewy, buttery, and packed with sweet chocolate and crunchy toffee bits. Made with just a few pantry ingredients and a box of cake mix, this easy dessert recipe is perfect for bake sales, holidays, or weeknight treats.
Cake Mix Toffee Bars – Easy, Gooey Dessert Bars You’ll Love
If you love quick desserts that taste like they took hours to make, these Cake Mix Toffee Bars will become your new favorite recipe. Imagine the rich, buttery flavor of a toffee cookie combined with the soft, chewy texture of a cake bar — all made from a simple cake mix base!
This recipe transforms an ordinary box of yellow cake mix into something spectacular with the addition of brown sugar, chocolate chips, and toffee bits. It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast — whether you serve it warm from the oven or pack it for a party.
Let’s dive into how you can make these irresistible Cake Mix Toffee Bars at home with just a few steps and ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Ingredients
For the Toffee Bars:
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1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
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⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
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¾ cup toffee bits (such as Heath or Skor pieces)
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¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
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¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for crunch)
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Extra drizzle of melted chocolate or caramel sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray and line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Step 2: Make the Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, brown sugar, and salt. Stir well to break up any clumps.
Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until a thick, smooth dough forms — it will be denser than typical cake batter, more like cookie dough.
Step 3: Add Chocolate and Toffee
Fold in the chocolate chips and toffee bits using a spatula. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough for consistent flavor in every bite.
If you like a bit of nutty crunch, stir in chopped pecans or walnuts at this stage.
Step 4: Press into the Pan
Transfer the dough into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it evenly into all corners — smooth the top for even baking.
The batter will be thick, so take your time to spread it evenly.
Step 5: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 22–28 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set.
Avoid overbaking — you want the bars to stay soft and chewy inside. The toffee and chocolate will melt slightly, creating that perfect gooey texture.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack.
Once cooled completely, cut into squares or bars.
For extra indulgence, drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel sauce before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cake Mix Toffee Bars
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Don’t Overbake: The bars continue to firm up as they cool, so remove them when the center still looks slightly soft.
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Use Fresh Cake Mix: Check the expiration date — old cake mix can affect texture and rise.
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Add Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky salt on top enhances the sweetness and makes each bite irresistible.
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Customize the Mix-ins: Swap chocolate chips for white or dark chocolate, or add shredded coconut, crushed pretzels, or butterscotch chips for variety.
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Line the Pan: Parchment paper makes removal and cleanup easy while keeping the bars intact.
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Serving Tip: Warm bars taste incredible with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Super Easy: No mixer, no complicated steps — just mix, bake, and enjoy.
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Budget-Friendly: Uses basic ingredients you likely already have.
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Perfect Texture: Chewy edges with a gooey, toffee-filled center.
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Crowd-Pleaser: Great for parties, potlucks, or gifting during the holidays.
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Versatile: Works with any cake mix flavor — chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan, or spice.
Serving Suggestions
These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them even more with creative serving ideas:
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Serve warm with ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
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Add a dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle melted chocolate for presentation.
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Stack in a mason jar for a fun dessert gift idea.
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Pair with coffee, milk, or hot cocoa for a cozy treat.
Storage and Freezing
To Store:
Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To Refrigerate:
Refrigerate for up to 1 week — they stay chewy and delicious when slightly chilled.
To Freeze:
Freeze baked and cooled bars for up to 3 months. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag.
Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for that freshly baked taste.
Nutritional Information (Per Bar)
| Nutrient | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 285 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Sugars | 24 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Cholesterol | 40 mg |
| Sodium | 210 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredients used.
Flavor Variations
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Chocolate Lovers’ Toffee Bars: Use chocolate cake mix and dark chocolate chips for a rich twist.
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Salted Caramel Toffee Bars: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt.
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Peanut Butter Toffee Bars: Swap part of the butter with peanut butter and add peanut butter chips.
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Holiday Version: Add red and green M&Ms or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
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Nutty Crunch Bars: Add chopped almonds or hazelnuts to complement the toffee flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Yes! Yellow, vanilla, or butter pecan mixes work best, but you can also try chocolate or spice cake mix for variety.
2. What can I substitute for toffee bits?
You can use chopped caramel candies or butterscotch chips for a similar texture and flavor.
3. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and verify that your toffee bits are gluten-free.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Bake it in a larger pan or two 9×13 pans — just keep an eye on the baking time.
5. How do I keep my bars soft?
Store them in an airtight container and avoid overbaking. Adding an extra tablespoon of butter helps retain moisture.
Final Thoughts
Cake Mix Toffee Bars are the definition of easy indulgence — chewy, buttery, chocolatey, and crunchy all at once. They’re perfect for any occasion, from family gatherings to last-minute bake sales.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dessert that looks and tastes like it came straight from a bakery. Once you try these bars, you’ll never look at a box of cake mix the same way again!
So grab that cake mix and get baking your kitchen will smell heavenly in minutes, and everyone will be asking for the recipe.
