Preheat Your Oven Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it warm up while you prepare your batter. This ensures even baking from the start.
Prepare the Baking Dish Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. This step is crucial for easy removal and clean-up.
Mix the Wet Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
Incorporate the Cake Mix Gradually add the yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Stir until a thick, smooth batter forms. This mixture will be quite dense, but that’s what makes the cookie bars deliciously chewy.
Fold in the Chocolate Chips Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. The chips will melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey chocolate.
Spread the Batter Transfer the thick batter into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, reaching all corners and creating a smooth surface.
Bake to Perfection Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on the bars; they should be golden brown and set in the middle. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool and Slice Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This helps them set and makes cutting easier.
Valuable Tips for a Seamless Cooking Experience
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This ensures that the batter mixes evenly and bakes consistently.
Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the cookie bars. They can go from perfectly baked to too dry quickly. Remove them from the oven when they are just set and still slightly soft in the center.
Customize Your Bars: Feel free to add nuts, dried fruits, or even a swirl of caramel or peanut butter to the batter for an extra twist.
Storage and Reheating Tips
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