Delightful Cake Mix Toffee Bars

This toffee bar shortcut uses boxed cake mix but delivers knockout flavor with layers of buttery toffee chunks, melty chocolate, and creamy sweetened condensed milk. My taste-testers always beg for extras when these crowd-pleasers show up.

I originally baked these for my kid's school fundraiser and returned home with nothing but an empty dish and folks asking me to share how I made them. They've become our favorite quick treat whenever we're craving something sweet without spending all day baking.

Ingredients

• Yellow cake mix: gives you that ideal cookie base texture without measuring tons of separate dry stuff
• Unsalted butter: brings depth and lets you manage salt content yourself
• Large eggs: hold everything together and create the right structure
• Toffee bits: add amazing crunch and that buttery caramel taste throughout
• Sweetened condensed milk: forms those heavenly pockets of sweet creaminess
• Chocolate chips: partially melt while baking for bursts of chocolatey goodness

How To Make It

Get Your Oven Ready:

Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C) and put a thin layer of grease on your 9×13-inch baking dish. This small step means your bars won't stick when it's time to serve them.

Mix Your Base:

In a big bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until everything's mixed well. You'll end up with something thick that feels like cookie dough. Make sure you've got no dry spots hiding anywhere.

Build The Foundation:

Push exactly half your dough flat across the bottom of your greased pan. Take your time here - use slightly wet fingers if the dough sticks to your hands, and make sure you cover the whole bottom surface.

Add The Good Stuff:

Scatter your chocolate chips and toffee bits evenly across your base layer, making a generous filling. Then slowly pour the sweetened condensed milk back and forth across everything, being careful not to dump it all in one spot.

Finish The Top:

Drop spoonfuls of your leftover dough over everything, then lightly connect them with your fingers, leaving some gaps where the filling shows through. This creates a pretty marbled look and lets the filling get slightly caramelized.

Bake Until Just Right:

Bake for 25 minutes, then check if they're done. The edges should look golden and start pulling away from the pan sides, while the middle should be set but still a bit soft. If needed, add another 2-3 minutes.

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My family can't get enough of the toffee bits in these bars. My husband always says they remind him of his grandma's famous butter cookies that had that special caramelized sugar taste around the edges.

Make Ahead and Storage

These bars stay fresh really well with proper storage. Just keep them in a sealed container with parchment between layers so they don't stick together. They'll taste great at room temp for 4 days. Want to save them longer? Wrap each bar in plastic, toss in a freezer bag, and freeze up to 3 months. Just let them sit out about an hour before you want to eat them.

Easy Substitutions

You can switch things up so many ways with this recipe. Try chocolate cake mix with white chocolate chips for a totally different look. Skip the toffee and throw in smashed Heath bars, butterscotch chips, or even broken pretzels for a sweet-salty mix. Want some crunch? Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to your filling. During Christmas or birthdays, mix in 1/4 cup colorful sprinkles for a fun party look.

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Serving Suggestions

These bars taste amazing by themselves, but you can make them extra special too. Pop each piece in the microwave for 10 seconds and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a fancy treat. Pour some warm caramel sauce over them with a tiny sprinkle of sea salt when you want to impress guests. Cut them smaller and put them on a plate with fresh strawberries or raspberries for parties. For birthdays or holidays, dust with a little powdered sugar and serve with coffee or hot cocoa.

FAQs About the Recipe

→ Can I use a different type of cake mix?

You bet! Yellow cake mix works great, but feel free to try white or chocolate cake mix for a whole new flavor experience.

→ How do I store these bars?

Put them in a sealed container at room temp and they'll last about 4 days. Want them longer? Wrap them up and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

→ Can I use other toppings or fillings?

Go for it! Throw in some walnuts, caramel bits, or even peanut butter chips to make them your own.

→ Do I need to refrigerate the bars?

They're fine at room temperature. Sticking them in the fridge might make them last a bit longer if you need to.

→ How do I know when the bars are done baking?

Look for golden edges with a slightly soft middle. Make sure to let them cool all the way before you cut them.