Lazy Cake Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for when you’re craving dessert but short on time and effort. These irresistibly easy bars combine cake mix, eggs, and butter—plus your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips or sprinkles—for a chewy, gooey cookie-cake hybrid.
With minimal prep and no need for rolling or chilling dough, they’re ideal for busy days, last-minute gatherings, or simple weeknight indulgence.
Whether you’re a beginner baker or just in a hurry, Lazy Cake Cookies offer maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Enjoy them warm from the oven or packed as a fun lunchbox or party snack!
If you’re craving something sweet and satisfying but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, Lazy Cake Cookies are your answer. As the name suggests, they’re incredibly easy to make—just a handful of ingredients, one bowl, and minimal effort. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing a last-minute treat, or simply having a lazy afternoon, these cookies deliver big flavor without the big hassle.
Why You’ll Love Lazy Cake Cookies
- No rolling or chilling needed
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
- Soft, chewy, cake-like texture
- Perfect for sharing or saving for the week
- Made with basic pantry staples!
Lazy Cake Cookies
Description
Lazy Cake Cookies are a quick and effortless dessert made by combining cake mix with simple pantry staples like eggs, oil, and mix-ins such as chocolate chips or sprinkles.
These soft, chewy cookie bars require no chill time and minimal prep—perfect for busy days or spontaneous cravings.
Just mix, press into a pan, and bake! The result is a thick, gooey treat with a slightly crisp edge and a soft, cake-like center.
Ideal for potlucks, parties, or weeknight sweet fixes, these cookies are as versatile as they are delicious.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). -
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
-
Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil until well combined. This acts as the base that binds the cookie dough. -
Add the Cake Mix
Pour in the entire box of cake mix. Stir until a thick dough forms. The dough will be dense—closer to cookie dough than cake batter. -
Fold in the Add-ins
Add 1 cup of chocolate chips (or more if you like it extra gooey). You can also fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, crushed pretzels, or M&Ms at this stage if desired. Mix until evenly distributed. -
Spread into Pan
Spoon the dough into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or clean hands to press and spread it evenly. It may resist a bit—it’s thick—but smooth it out as best as you can. -
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake! You want them soft and chewy—not dry. -
Cool & Slice
Let the cookies cool in the pan for at least 10–15 minutes before slicing into bars or squares. They’ll firm up slightly as they cool.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 220kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12g19%
- Saturated Fat 5g25%
- Cholesterol 25mg9%
- Sodium 180mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 26g9%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 18g
- Protein 3g6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Lazy Cake Cookies are the dream dessert for anyone who loves soft, chewy cookies but doesn’t want to spend a lot of time or energy baking.
These cookies come together in one bowl, use pantry staples, and are baked in a single pan — no scooping or chilling required.
Whether you're new to baking or just need a quick treat, here are some top tips, tricks, and serving ideas to make your Lazy Cake Cookies truly unforgettable.
Baking Tips for the Perfect Lazy Cake Cookies
1. Use Melted Butter for Rich Flavor
Melted butter gives Lazy Cake Cookies their signature dense and fudgy texture. Let the butter cool slightly before mixing it with sugar to prevent scrambling the eggs.
2. Don’t Overmix the Batter
Once you add flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing will make the cookie bars cakey rather than chewy and soft. Fold in the chocolate chips or other mix-ins gently at the end.
3. Line Your Pan with Parchment Paper
This isn’t just to prevent sticking — it makes lifting the entire cookie slab out of the pan easy for clean slicing. You’ll get even squares with crisp edges and a soft center.
4. Choose the Right Pan Size
Most Lazy Cake Cookie recipes call for a 9x13-inch pan. Using a smaller pan will make the bars thicker and require longer baking; using a larger pan will result in thinner, crispier cookies.
5. Don’t Overbake
Bake just until the edges are golden and the center looks slightly underbaked — it will continue to set as it cools. Overbaking can turn them dry instead of delightfully chewy.
Flavor & Mix-In Variations
1. Classic Chocolate Chip
Use semi-sweet chips for a balanced flavor or mix dark and milk chocolate chips for richness.
2. S'mores Style
Add mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, and chocolate chunks for a gooey campfire twist.
3. Funfetti Magic
Stir in rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips for a birthday cake feel.
4. Peanut Butter Lovers
Add swirls of peanut butter and peanut butter chips. A sprinkle of sea salt on top makes it pop!
5. Cookies & Cream
Chopped Oreos and white chocolate chips give your cookie bars that nostalgic, creamy crunch.
Serving Tricks to Make Them Shine
1. Cut When Cool (But Not Cold)
Let the cookie slab cool for about 30 minutes before cutting. If it’s too hot, it may fall apart; if it’s too cold, it can get hard to slice. Use a sharp knife for clean edges.
2. Serve Warm with Ice Cream
Heat a square in the microwave for 10–15 seconds and top it with a scoop of vanilla or salted caramel ice cream. Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce for a dessert that rivals any restaurant treat.
3. Stack and Serve as Cookie Towers
Cut into smaller squares and stack on a cake stand or platter for parties. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra flair.
4. Make Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cut the cooled cookie into squares, add a scoop of ice cream in between, and freeze. You’ve got homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches in minutes!
5. Holiday Touch
For festive events, add seasonal sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or pumpkin spice chips depending on the time of year.
Serving Suggestions
Lazy Cake Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can also:
- Serve warm with ice cream for a quick cookie sundae
- Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch
- Drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel
- Stack and wrap in parchment as edible gifts
Variations & Customization Ideas
One of the best things about Lazy Cake Cookies is how adaptable they are:
Chocolate Lovers:
Use a chocolate cake mix and stir in white chocolate chips and mini marshmallows for a rocky road flavor.
Cookie Monster Style:
Use funfetti cake mix with crushed Oreos and sprinkles.
Peanut Butter Swirl:
Add ¼ cup peanut butter to the wet ingredients and swirl in extra before baking.
Fall Vibes:
Use spice cake mix, add white chocolate chips, and fold in chopped dried apples or cinnamon chips.
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooled cookie bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly before eating.
- Lazy Cake Cookies store beautifully! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.
- For longer storage, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat individual squares in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven magic.
Best Season to Make
Lazy Cake Cookies are great year-round, but especially ideal when:
- You need a quick holiday dessert
- It’s too hot to bake complicated recipes
- You want to get kids involved in baking
- You're planning movie night or potlucks
Final Thoughts
Lazy Cake Cookies are the ultimate no-stress, high-reward treat. With just one bowl, a few ingredients, and barely any cleanup, you can satisfy your sweet tooth in under 30 minutes.
Lazy Cake Cookies are a lifesaver when you’re short on time but still want something warm, gooey, and indulgent. With the right mix-ins, a few easy baking tricks, and creative serving ideas, you can turn this low-effort recipe into a crowd-pleasing treat every time.
Whether you're baking for your family or yourself, they’re sure to become a go-to favorite.
Pin this recipe to share with your friends and followers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lazy Cake Cookies?
Lazy Cake Cookies are an easy, one-bowl dessert made by combining cake mix with just a few ingredients like eggs, butter, and mix-ins (e.g., chocolate chips or candies).
They have the texture of a blondie or cookie bar and are baked in a pan — no rolling or chilling required. They're called “lazy” because they’re incredibly quick to prepare with minimal effort.
Can I use any cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While yellow or chocolate cake mix is most common, you can use any flavor — such as red velvet, funfetti, lemon, or spice — to change the taste. Each flavor pairs well with different add-ins. For example, chocolate cake mix goes great with peanut butter chips, while funfetti works well with white chocolate or rainbow sprinkles.
How do I store Lazy Cake Cookies, and how long do they last?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months. To enjoy them later, let them come to room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel.
Can I make them gluten-free or vegan?
Yes! To make them gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free cake mix. For a vegan version, use egg substitutes like flax eggs or commercial egg replacers, and swap dairy butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. Be sure to also choose dairy-free mix-ins. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious and chewy.
