The Best Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe: Sweet & Crunchy Magic

Sweet toffee surprises hide within these delectable cake mix bars that promise pure indulgence.

Crumbly textures blend perfectly with rich caramel undertones.

Unexpected ingredients create magic in this simple dessert.

Minimal effort leads to maximum satisfaction for anyone seeking a quick treat.

Pantry staples come together effortlessly to craft something spectacular.

Chocolate lovers will absolutely adore these decadent bars that melt in your mouth.

You won’t believe how easy it is to create such an impressive dessert.

Why Cake Mix Toffee Bars Are Sweet And Simple

• Craft Simple Dessert: Transform a basic cake mix into a decadent treat with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Create a showstopping dessert that impresses guests without complex techniques or extensive preparation.
• Versatile Celebration Treat: Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, bake sales, or spontaneous sweet cravings with universal appeal.
• Customize with Ease: Swap nuts, add different chocolate types, or adjust toppings to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need For Cake Mix Toffee Bars

• Yellow Cake Mix: A convenient base that provides a rich, sweet foundation for the dessert.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the cake mix together.
• Eggs: Provide structure and help create a cohesive dough.

• Brown Sugar: Creates a deep, caramel-like sweetness in the toffee layer.
• Butter: Helps create a smooth, glossy toffee sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps create a silky toffee texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.

• Chocolate Chips, Toffee Bits: Add extra sweetness and crunch to the dessert.
• Chopped Nuts: Provide a pleasant texture and nutty flavor (optional).

How To Make Cake Mix Toffee Bars Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting extra paper hang over sides for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Create Cake Base Dough

• Yellow cake mix
• Melted butter
• Eggs

Stir ingredients until a smooth dough forms, ensuring no dry spots remain.

Step 3: Shape Dough Layer

Press the cake mix dough evenly into the prepared pan, creating a uniform base that covers the entire bottom surface.

Step 4: Craft Luscious Toffee Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract

Blend until you have a rich, glossy toffee sauce.

Step 5: Pour Toffee Layer

Drizzle the warm toffee sauce directly over the cake mix base, ensuring complete and even coverage.

Step 6: Add Chocolate Goodness

Sprinkle chocolate chips across the hot toffee layer, allowing them to slightly melt from the residual heat.

Step 7: Enhance With Crunchy Toppings

Scatter toffee bits and chopped nuts over the melted chocolate for extra texture and flavor.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft.

Step 9: Cool And Slice

Remove from oven and let the dessert cool completely at room temperature. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire creation out of the pan, then slice into delectable squares or bars.

Tips For Easy Cake Mix Toffee Bars

• Perfectly Prep the Pan: Line the baking dish with parchment paper, creating handles for easy bar removal and clean cutting.
• Blend Batter Brilliantly: Mix cake mix, butter, and eggs thoroughly to create a smooth, consistent dough without overmixing.
• Master Toffee Technique: Stir brown sugar and butter constantly while melting to prevent burning and achieve a silky, uniform sauce.
• Chocolate Chip Magic: Sprinkle chips immediately after pouring toffee so they slightly melt, creating a dreamy, swirled topping.
• Cool Completely for Clean Cuts: Allow bars to cool entirely at room temperature to ensure clean, crisp edges when slicing.

Ways To Switch Up Cake Mix Toffee Bars

• Salted Caramel Crunch: Replace toffee bits with crushed pretzels and drizzle salted caramel sauce over the top for a sweet and salty combination.
• Nutty Chocolate Swirl: Mix chopped pecans into the cake mix base and create chocolate swirls by marbling melted dark chocolate across the toffee layer.
• Coconut Rum Infusion: Add shredded coconut to the base and splash a tablespoon of rum into the toffee sauce for a tropical-inspired dessert.
• Berry Chocolate Fusion: Sprinkle dried cranberries and white chocolate chips on top of the toffee layer for a fruity and rich flavor profile.

Pairing Ideas For Cake Mix Toffee Bars

• Craft a Creamy Coffee Companion: Brew a rich, dark espresso or smooth latte to balance the sweet, buttery notes of the toffee bars, cutting through their richness with a bold caffeine kick.
• Select Perfectly Matched Wine: Choose a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or a late-harvest Riesling, whose fruity and honeyed undertones will enhance the caramel and chocolate elements in the bars.
• Elevate with Ice Cream Indulgence: Serve alongside vanilla bean or salted caramel ice cream, creating a temperature and texture contrast that amplifies the bar's warm, gooey toffee layers.

How To Store Cake Mix Toffee Bars Properly

• Store cooled toffee bars in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, and keep chilled for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, storing for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
• Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they're protected from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain texture.
• Place bars on a plate covered with plastic wrap or in a container with a tight-fitting lid, consuming within 48 hours for optimal freshness and flavor.

FAQs About Cake Mix Toffee Bars

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

Yes, white or chocolate cake mix work great as alternatives to yellow cake mix in this recipe.

• Do I need to use heavy cream in the toffee sauce?

Heavy cream helps create a smooth, rich texture, but you can substitute with whole milk if needed.

• Are the nuts optional in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can easily omit the nuts or replace them with different types like pecans or almonds to suit your preference.

• How do I know when the bars are properly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft when you remove the pan from the oven.

Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible cake mix toffee bars blend sweet simplicity with rich caramel notes, creating a dessert that melts hearts and satisfies cravings. Crisp edges, gooey centers, and toffee chips promise pure indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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cake base:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs

toffee layer:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

topping:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup toffee bits
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the sides for easy removal.
2. Combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl, stirring until a cohesive dough forms.
3. Press the cake mix dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth, uniform base layer.
4. In a medium saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and bubbling.
5. Remove from heat and whisk in heavy cream and vanilla extract, creating a rich, glossy toffee sauce.
6. Pour the warm toffee mixture directly over the cake mix base, ensuring even coverage across the entire surface.
7. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot toffee layer, allowing them to slightly melt from the residual heat.
8. Scatter toffee bits and chopped nuts (if using) across the top of the melted chocolate.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
10. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
11. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire dessert out of the pan, then cut into squares or bars.

Notes

• Customize the cake mix base by substituting different flavors like chocolate or white cake mix for unique variations.
• Ensure butter is fully melted and incorporated to create a smooth, cohesive dough that spreads evenly in the pan.
• Toast nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the bars.
• Experiment with alternative toppings like caramel chips, sea salt, or dried fruit to personalize the recipe and add exciting texture contrasts.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 292
• Sugar: 23 g
• Sodium: 155 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 46 mg