These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are the ultimate easy dessert for anyone who loves the rich, chewy goodness of chocolate and toffee. Made with a handful of simple ingredients and just one bowl, this recipe delivers decadent bars with layers of buttery crust, gooey chocolate, and crunchy toffee bits. Perfect for parties, holiday baking, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, these bars are ready in under 40 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Uses cake mix to simplify the prep, saving time without sacrificing flavor.
- Deliciously Decadent: Each bite combines layers of buttery crust, gooey chocolate, and crunchy toffee.
- Great for Sharing: With a yield of 24 bars, it’s ideal for gatherings or family treats.
- Minimal Ingredients: Just a few pantry staples are all you need to create this dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough Base
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms. Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer.
Step 3: Add Toffee Layer
Sprinkle the toffee bits evenly over the dough layer to add a sweet crunch.
Step 4: Make the Chocolate Layer
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until melted and smooth, creating a rich chocolate mixture. Pour this over the toffee bits layer, spreading it evenly.
Step 5: Top with Remaining Dough
Crumble the remaining dough over the chocolate layer, scattering it across the top for a textured finish.
Step 6: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. Enjoy these gooey, chocolatey bars once cooled, as the flavors intensify when set.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- Measuring spoons and cups
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing spoon or spatula
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions: Serve these bars as they are or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. They’re great for holidays, potlucks, or just a cozy dessert night.
Storing Leftovers: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: These bars are delicious when warmed slightly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds if refrigerated.
Recipe Variations
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between the toffee bits and chocolate layer for added texture.
- Use White Chocolate: Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a twist.
- Switch Cake Mix Flavor: Try using chocolate or vanilla cake mix instead of yellow for different base flavors.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle a bit of sea salt on top of the chocolate layer before baking to enhance the sweet and salty contrast.
Helpful Notes
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Just mix the cake mix, butter, and egg until a dough forms. Overmixing can lead to a dense crust.
- Low Heat for Chocolate: When melting the chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk, keep the heat low and stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Let Cool Completely: Cooling the bars fully helps the layers set, making them easier to slice and giving the best flavor.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
Martha Stewart’s Tip for Perfect Bars: Always let bar desserts cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, even slices.
Bobby Flay’s Sweet & Salty Tip: A pinch of sea salt added to chocolatey desserts enhances the richness of the chocolate and balances the sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Yes, you can use vanilla, chocolate, or even caramel-flavored cake mix to customize the flavor of these bars.
Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Yes, milk chocolate will work, but it will make the bars a bit sweeter. Semi-sweet chocolate provides a balanced richness that complements the toffee.
Are there alternatives to toffee bits?
If you can’t find toffee bits, you can crush Heath or Skor candy bars as a substitute, or try butterscotch chips for a similar flavor profile.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but the bars will have a slightly saltier flavor. If using salted butter, you may want to reduce or skip any additional salt.
How can I tell when the bars are done?
Look for a golden-brown top and slightly firm edges. The center will continue to firm up as the bars cool.
These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are incredibly easy and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. With layers of gooey chocolate and crunchy toffee, these bars will become a family favorite in no time!
Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup toffee bits
- 1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the Dough Base: In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a dough forms. Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust.
- Add Toffee Layer: Evenly sprinkle the toffee bits over the dough layer.
- Make the Chocolate Layer: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Pour this mixture over the toffee bits.
- Top with Remaining Dough: Crumble the remaining dough over the chocolate layer, creating an even topping.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. Enjoy these rich, chocolatey, and chewy bars!
Notes
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Just mix the cake mix, butter, and egg until a dough forms. Overmixing can lead to a dense crust.
- Low Heat for Chocolate: When melting the chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk, keep the heat low and stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Let Cool Completely: Cooling the bars fully helps the layers set, making them easier to slice and giving the best flavor.