Gluten-Free Gooey Chocolate Chip Cake Bars
Rich, gooey chocolate chip bars made with yellow cake mix and sweetened condensed milk create an irresistibly chewy dessert perfect for potlucks and bake sales. The combination of soft cake base, creamy condensed milk center, and melted chocolate chips delivers bakery-style indulgence with minimal effort. These bars require chilling to set properly for clean slicing, making them ideal for advance preparation. The foolproof recipe transforms basic pantry ingredients into crowd-pleasing treats that satisfy serious sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F
- 2
Line a 9x13-inch pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray
- 3
Mix cake mix, egg, and butter with stand mixer until combined
- 4
Press two-thirds of batter into bottom of prepared pan in thin layer
- 5
Spread sweetened condensed milk over batter leaving 1-inch border around edges
- 6
Sprinkle chocolate chips over condensed milk
- 7
Form remaining dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place over chocolate chips focusing on solid edge coverage
- 8
Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and milk is bubbling
- 9
Cool completely then chill until set for clean slicing
Tips
Use a stand mixer for easier mixing, though hand mixer works with more time and effort.
Leave 1-inch border when spreading condensed milk to prevent bubbling and sticking to foil.
Chill bars completely before slicing for clean cuts and proper texture.
Good to Know
Store in single layer in airtight container for up to 3 days
Can be made 1-2 days ahead, store chilled
Serve chilled for best texture and clean slicing
Common Mistakes
Chill completely before slicing to avoid messy cuts and proper setting.
Keep condensed milk 1-inch from edges to avoid overflow and sticking.
Substitutions
creates double chocolate version
FAQ
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, chocolate or spice cake mix work well. The texture will remain the same but flavor will change accordingly.
How long do these need to chill?
At least 2-3 hours or until completely set. Overnight chilling gives the cleanest cuts and best texture.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, wrap individually and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before serving for best texture.