Lazy Cake Cookies

These Lazy Cake Cookies are the ultimate quick and easy dessert! Made by mixing cake mix with just a few simple ingredients, they bake into soft, chewy bars that are perfect for customizing with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips or sprinkles. A sweet treat with minimal effort!

Updated: Sep 5, 2025 · Published: Aug 10, 2025 by Brooke Poston

If there’s one recipe that’s been saving my sanity on busy weeks, it’s Lazy Cake Cookies. You know those days when you’re craving something sweet but the thought of dirtying every bowl in your kitchen makes you want to just… not? This is the answer. No mixers. No chilling the dough. No complicated steps. Just mix, bake, and enjoy.

I first stumbled upon the idea of Lazy Cake Cookies during one of those “clean out the pantry” afternoons. I had a box of cake mix, half a bag of chocolate chips, and not much else. Instead of making a regular cake, I decided to experiment — and the result was a chewy, golden-edged cookie bar that disappeared in less than an hour. My family now calls them “the 20-minute miracle.”

The best part? These cookies are endlessly adaptable. You can swap flavors, add mix-ins, or even drizzle them with melted chocolate for an extra treat. They’re perfect for last-minute guests, bake sales, or just a lazy Sunday when you want dessert without the hassle. And trust me — no one will guess they took less effort than a trip to the store.

Whether you’re a busy parent, a beginner baker, or someone who just loves a ridiculously easy dessert, Lazy Cake Cookies are about to become your new go-to. And yes, you might want to make a double batch — they have a tendency to “mysteriously” vanish.

Why You’ll Love It

• Minimal effort, maximum reward – You only need a few pantry staples and about 20 minutes.
• Perfect for beginners – No fancy equipment or baking skills required.
• Customizable – Change up the cake mix flavor, add nuts, candies, or even sprinkles.
• Crowd-pleaser – Soft, chewy, and full of flavor with that irresistible fresh-baked smell.
• Budget-friendly – A simple treat that doesn’t require expensive ingredients.

Ingredient Notes & Details

• Cake Mix – The base of this recipe. Yellow, white, chocolate, or even funfetti cake mix works great. Stick with a standard 15.25 oz box for best results.
• Eggs – Two large eggs help bind the dough and give the cookies a soft texture. Room-temperature eggs mix in more evenly.
• Oil – Vegetable or canola oil keeps these cookies moist and chewy. You can use melted butter for a richer flavor.
• Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet is classic, but white chocolate, dark chocolate, or peanut butter chips are also delicious.
• Optional Mix-ins – Chopped nuts, crushed cookies, M&Ms, toffee bits, or even dried fruit can add extra flavor and texture.

💡 Tip: If you want a slightly thicker, more cake-like texture, reduce the oil by 1–2 tablespoons and replace with the same amount of milk.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Mix the Dough In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough comes together — it will be thick.
3. Add the Chocolate Chips Fold in your chocolate chips (or chosen mix-ins) until evenly distributed.
4. Spread into Pan Transfer the dough to your prepared pan. Press it out evenly with a spatula or clean hands. The dough will be sticky — dampening your hands slightly with water helps.
5. Bake Place in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.
6. Cool and Slice Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing into squares or bars. Serve warm or at room temperature.

FAQ

• 1. Can I use butter instead of oil? Yes! Melted butter works beautifully and adds a richer flavor, though the cookies will be slightly denser.
• 2. Do I need to chill the dough? Not at all. The beauty of this recipe is that you can bake it immediately after mixing.
• 3. Can I use gluten-free cake mix? Absolutely. Just make sure to check the package for any baking time adjustments.
• 4. How do I make them extra chewy? Add an extra egg yolk or slightly underbake them by 1–2 minutes.
• 5. Can I double the recipe? Yes, just use a larger baking pan or bake in two separate pans to ensure even cooking.
• 6. Can I freeze Lazy Cake Cookies? Yes — see the storage tips below for freezing instructions.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 week — just note they may firm up slightly.
• Freezer: Wrap cooled bars individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.

Variations

• Funfetti Party Cookies – Use funfetti cake mix and add extra sprinkles.
• Peanut Butter Lovers – Use chocolate cake mix and peanut butter chips.
• S’mores Style – Add mini marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, and chocolate chunks.
• Holiday Twist – Use red and green M&Ms for Christmas, pastel candies for Easter, or candy corn for Halloween.
• Nutty Chocolate Chip – Fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.

These Lazy Cake Cookies are the ultimate quick and easy dessert! Made by mixing cake mix with just a few simple ingredients, they bake into soft, chewy bars that are perfect for customizing with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips or sprinkles. A sweet treat with minimal effort!

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Prep Time:

15 minutes

Cook Time:

15 minutes

Servings:

12

Ingredients

• 1 box 15.25 oz / 432 g yellow or white cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup 80 ml vegetable oil
• 1 cup 170 g semi-sweet chocolate chips (or mix-ins of choice)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Mix the dough – In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil. Stir until well blended and no dry pockets remain.
3. Add mix-ins – Fold in the chocolate chips (or any extras like white chocolate chunks, nuts, or sprinkles).
4. Shape cookies – Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set and the centers look slightly soft.
6. Cool – Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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