Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe

Sweet & Buttery Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe Everyone Will Love

Sweet cravings for a decadent cake mix toffee bars have been haunting my kitchen lately.

Chocolate lovers understand the magic of unexpected dessert combinations.

Layers of buttery, caramel-rich goodness promise pure indulgence with minimal effort.

These bars blend convenience and homemade charm into one irresistible treat.

Pantry staples transform into something extraordinary with just a few simple ingredients.

Crumbling, melting, and blending create a symphony of textures that dance on your palate.

This recipe guarantees smiles and second helpings from everyone around the table.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of these heavenly bars.

Why Cake Mix Toffee Bars Are Dangerously to Love

  • Simplify dessert creation with just a few ingredients and basic mixing steps. No complex techniques required, making this recipe perfect for baking beginners or busy home cooks looking for a fast sweet treat.
  • Bake these delectable bars in under 30 minutes from start to finish. Total time including preparation and baking is just 35-40 minutes, delivering instant gratification for chocolate and toffee lovers.
  • Adaptable recipe works perfectly for casual gatherings, potlucks, school events, or weekend family desserts. Chocolate chips and toffee bits provide irresistible texture and flavor that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone enjoys these indulgent bars.
  • Utilize standard cake mix as the base, reducing the need for multiple specialized ingredients. Most home bakers already have these components on hand, making spontaneous baking a breeze without additional grocery shopping.

Ingredients That Make Cake Mix Toffee Bars Rich

Base Ingredients:
  • Cake Mix: The core foundation providing sweetness and structure for the toffee bars.
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a moist, tender texture.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet note.
Topping Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Toffee Bits: Provide extra crunch, sweetness, and delicious texture to the bars.
Baking Preparation:
  • Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes bar removal easier.
  • Baking Pan: Creates the shape and allows even baking of the dessert.

How to Bake Cake Mix Toffee Bars in a Snap

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch pan and line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Create the Base

In a big mixing bowl, toss together:
  • Cake mix
  • Melted butter
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Stir everything until it transforms into a thick, luxurious dough with a smooth texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Canvas

Spread the batter across the pan like you’re making a delicious landscape. Use a spatula or your fingers to create an even surface that looks picture-perfect.

Step 4: Shower with Delicious Toppings

Generously rain down:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Toffee bits

Gently press these tasty morsels into the batter so they’ll stay put during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for golden brown edges and a clean toothpick test. You want chewy bars that are soft in the middle, not dry and crumbly.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Let the bars rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Then slice into squares or rectangles and get ready to enjoy!

Tips to Keep Cake Mix Toffee Bars Gooey Yet Crisp

  • Customize Cake Mix: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like chocolate, yellow, or white to create unique variations of these toffee bars.
  • Prevent Sticking Hack: Always line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of the bars.
  • Texture Control Tip: Slightly underbake the bars by 2-3 minutes to maintain a gooey, soft center that melts in your mouth.
  • Dairy-Free Modification: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine to make the recipe suitable for dairy-free diets.
  • Enhance Flavor Boost: Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top after baking to elevate the sweet and toffee flavors for a more complex taste profile.

Storing Cake Mix Toffee Bars for Later Indulgence

  • Store leftover toffee bars in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
  • Warm refrigerated bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Frozen bars need about 30-45 minutes to thaw naturally.
  • Slightly warmed bars taste best and maintain their soft, chewy texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the delicious toffee and chocolate chips.

Delicious Pairings for Cake Mix Toffee Bars

  • Complement the rich toffee and chocolate flavors with a warm, creamy caramel latte that enhances the dessert's sweet notes and provides a smooth coffee undertone.
  • Top the toffee bars with a scoop of classic vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding a luxurious creamy texture.
  • Serve a chilled glass of toasted almond milk alongside the bars, offering a nutty, subtle sweetness that beautifully balances the chocolate and toffee elements.
  • Enjoy a strong dark roast coffee with these bars, as the robust coffee flavor cuts through the sweetness and highlights the dessert's rich, buttery profile.

Tasty Twists on Cake Mix Toffee Bars to Try

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix. Use almond flour or gluten-free baking blend to maintain the same texture and flavor profile.
  • Vegan Version: Swap butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine. Use a flax egg or commercial egg replacer instead of regular eggs. Choose vegan chocolate chips and dairy-free toffee bits.
  • Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts over the toffee bars before baking. Add a handful of crushed nuts to the batter for extra texture and rich, nutty flavor.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Substitute regular cake mix with a sugar-free cake mix. Use sugar-free chocolate chips and reduced-sugar toffee bits to create a lighter, less sweet version of the classic treat.
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Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe

Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible cake mix toffee bars blend sweet simplicity with rich caramel notes, creating a dessert that sings with homemade comfort. Chocolate chips and toffee pieces meld into a quick treat, promising delightful moments of indulgence you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (113 grams) melted butter

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Garnish Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (170 grams) toffee bits

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or applying a light grease coating to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine cake mix, melted butter, and egg in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture transforms into a dense, cohesive dough. Incorporate vanilla extract for an enhanced flavor profile.
  3. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula or fingertips to distribute it uniformly and create a smooth, even surface.
  4. Generously scatter chocolate chips and toffee bits across the batter’s surface, gently pressing them to ensure they adhere during the baking process.
  5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Monitor the bars closely, looking for golden-brown edges and a clean toothpick test from the center. The goal is a chewy texture, avoiding dryness.
  6. Remove from the oven and let the bars rest in the pan for approximately 10 minutes to set and stabilize.
  7. Carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, allowing the bars to reach room temperature completely before slicing into desired serving sizes.
  8. Slice into squares or rectangular bars, ready to be enjoyed as a delectable treat.

Notes

  • Customize cake mix flavors like chocolate or yellow to match your preference and create unique variations.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute regular cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix blend that maintains similar texture and consistency.
  • Enhance flavor profile by adding extra ingredients like chopped nuts, sea salt sprinkle, or drizzled caramel sauce after cooling.
  • Store bars in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 220 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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