Preheat your oven to 350°F. This step is crucial for ensuring your cookie bars bake evenly. A properly preheated oven helps achieve a perfect golden brown color.
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs using a mixer. Mix until well combined. You want a smooth batter without any lumps, so don’t rush this step!
Once the mixture is smooth, it’s time to fold in the chocolate chips and half of the mini M&Ms. Gently incorporate them into the batter, being careful not to overmix. This ensures the candies remain intact.
Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, making sure the corners are filled. This helps ensure every bite has the same delicious flavor.
Sprinkle the remaining mini M&Ms over the top of the batter. This adds a lovely pop of color to your bars, and they’ll look so inviting when baked!
Now it’s time to bake! Place the pan in the oven and bake for 24 to 28 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This makes it easier to cut them without falling apart.
After cooling slightly, transfer the cookie bars to a wire rack to cool completely. This will help them set perfectly and enhance the texture.
Once cooled, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your homemade Cake Mix Cookie Bars with family and friends!
