These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are a sweet, buttery, and gooey treat made with just a few simple ingredients. With layers of cake mix dough, crunchy toffee bits, and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk, they bake up into a rich, golden bar that’s soft in the center and crispy on top.
Perfect for last-minute desserts, holiday trays, or cookie swaps!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- 🕒 Quick & Easy: Just 10 minutes prep time—no mixer needed!
- 🧈 Buttery Goodness: The cake mix base creates a dense, moist texture with minimal effort.
- 🍯 Toffee Perfection: Crunchy Heath bits melt slightly while baking for that perfect caramel crunch.
- 🥞 No Fuss Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and easy add-ins.
- ✨ Crowd-Pleaser: Great for gifting, school events, or family dessert nights.
Ingredients (Makes 16–20 bars):
For the Base & Dough:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or vanilla)
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter , melted
- 1 large egg
For the Topping:
- 1 cup toffee bits (Heath candy pieces or chopped toffee bars)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional, but recommended for extra indulgence)
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk (for that rich, caramel-like finish)
Other:
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray (for pan preparation)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) .
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Dough Mixture
In a large bowl, combine:
- Yellow cake mix
- Melted butter
- Egg
Mix until crumbly and thick. It will feel like a thick shortbread dough—this is normal.
Step 3: Fold in Toffee Bits
Stir in the toffee bits and chocolate chips (if using), until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 4: Press Into Pan
Press about ⅔ of the dough mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.
You can press it with your hands or the back of a spoon to form a solid base.
Step 5: Drizzle with Condensed Milk
Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the pressed base.
This will give the bars that signature gooey, caramelized texture as they bake.
Step 6: Sprinkle Remaining Dough
Crumble the remaining dough gently over the top of the condensed milk layer.
Sprinkle any extra toffee bits on top if you love extra crunch!
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 20–25 minutes , or until the top is golden brown and set in the center.
A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean with just a few crumbs.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes , then transfer to the fridge to chill completely—about 30–45 minutes .
Once cooled, slice into bars or squares for serving.
Tips for Success:
- 🍯 Add Chocolate Drizzle: After cooling, drizzle with melted chocolate for extra richness.
- 🧁 Make Ahead Magic: These keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- ❄️ Freeze for Later: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months—great for meal prep or gifting.
- 🥣 Switch It Up: Try pecans, caramel swirls, or coconut for fun variations.
- 🧊 Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Cooling helps them set properly before slicing.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.
- Top with whipped cream or ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Perfect for cookie exchanges, lunchboxes, or afternoon snacks.
Nutritional Information (per bar, approx. 16 servings):
(Without optional chocolate drizzle)
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Protein: ~3g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fat: ~12g
- Fiber: ~0.5g
- Sugar: ~15g
These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are proof that amazing desserts don’t have to be complicated. With just a few ingredients and no mixer required, you get a rich, buttery, chewy bar that everyone will ask for again and again.
So go ahead and make this sweet treat today… because sometimes, the easiest recipes are the best ones!
