If you need a Valentine treat and don’t have time to scoop cookies (or just don’t feel like it), these red velvet cake mix cookie bars topped with homemade cream cheese frosting are the perfect alternative!
Cut these bars as small or generous as you need to to serve your group.
Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest
Are your kids allowed to bring homemade treats into their class? Julia is not and it obviously breaks my heart. I understand why, but it still makes me sad.
She’s having a Valentine’s Day breakfast in her class and I’m in charge of bringing store bought mini muffins & cheese cubes.
At least I can make these cookie bars for our at-home Valentine celebration.
CAKE MIX BARS INGREDIENTS
Gather these ingredients – full recipe card is below.
- Red Velvet Cake Mix – Standard size is now 15.25 oz. (any flavor will work in this recipe)
- Butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- Cream Cheese – Start with room temperature cream cheese so it mixes smoothly.
- Butter – I like to use salted butter to balance the sweetness, but unsalted works, too.
- Powdered Sugar – Sometimes called confectioners’ sugar. Same thing.
- Vanilla Extract
When you’re going semi-homemade with the doctored cake mix cookie bars, it’s nice to top them with homemade cream cheese frosting. Plus, tangy cream cheese frosting is the perfect balance to the red velvet.
HOW TO MAKE CAKE MIX COOKIE BARS
STEP ONE: Add your cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to a bowl and stir to combine.
STEP TWO: Press your cookie dough into a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been lined with parchment paper and sprayed with non-stick spray.
STEP THREE: Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
STEP FOUR: Remove from oven and let chill completely before frosting.
HOW TO MAKE EASY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
STEP ONE: Add room temperature cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium to beat until fully incorporated. That’s it!
Once the cake mix bars are cooled, frost with an offset spatula and top with sprinkles.
Cut into whatever size bars you need/want.
BE A GOOD COOKIE
I’m sharing this recipe as part of the 2020 Good Cookies Valentine’s Day Event. I participated last year with Valentine Sugar Cookie Cups and I wanted to continue to do my little part in fighting pediatric cancer.
There are 40,000 US children actively battling cancer right now and the National Cancer Institute’s budget is less than 4% for childhood cancer.
By donating to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, you can help join the fight. The goal is to raise at least $3,000 because OXO, Mediavine, and Dixie Crystals have pledged to match each dollar up to that amount. That means each dollar raised turns into $4!
I made my donation and you can make yours here > DONATE TODAY
TOOLS FOUND ON AMAZON TO HELP YOU:
- 9 x 13 Baking Dish – I like to have one with a lid to store leftovers.
- Offset Spatula – For easily frosting the cookie bars.
- Mixing Bowls – For making both the cookie dough and the frosting.
- SPRINKLES – There are lots of fun Valentine’s themed sprinkles on Amazon or I usually have good luck at Marshalls/HomeGoods.
NEED MORE VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS IN YOUR LIFE? TRY THESE:
- Chocolate Frosted Valentine Cookies
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
- Red Velvet Cream Cheese Swirl Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Heart Cupcakes
- Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For the cake mix cookie bars
- 1 15.25 oz red velvet cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the cream cheese frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 Tb butter at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3.5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
To make the cookie bars
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir together until fully combined.
- Press the cookie dough (it will be thick) evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let fully cool before frosting.
To make the cream cheese frosting
- To a large mixing bowl, add the room temperature cream cheese and butter. Add in the vanilla. Cream together.
- Add in the powdered sugar, while mixing, until fully incorporated.
- Once fully cooled, use an offset spatula to evenly frost the cookie bars. Add sprinkles then cut into desired size.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Anyone know how much butter?
1/2 cup melted. Do you see the recipe card above?
So excited to make these! But I also was wondering how much butter. The recipe card only says melted butter and not the quantity.
I’m so confused because it is there – I had friends check! lol It is 1/2 cup melted butter in the bars.
Can these be frozen
Yes, but I would freeze without frosting, if possible.
Loved these! So easy and taste delicious!
Thanks, Jessica!
I want to make these ahead of time for a Christmas party. What is the best way to store them if I make them 1-2 days early? Thanks
I would cover tightly & store in the fridge once they’re frosted.
Do these come out more like a cake or more dense like a brownie?
It’s a bit of a mix of the two. Not fluffy like cake but not quite as chewy as a brownie.
No way it fits in a 9×13. More like a 9×9
Yes it does. You can see it in the pan in the pics above.