These Cake Mix Toffee Bars are made with yellow cake mix, butter, chocolate toffee bits, and sweetened condensed milk, creating an easy, chewy, buttery dessert that’ll disappear fast!
You ever have one of those nights where you’re standing in the kitchen, craving something sweet, but you also have zero energy to deal with a complicated recipe? That’s exactly how these Cake Mix Toffee Bars came to be.
It was one of those “whatever’s in the pantry will have to do” moments. I spotted a half-forgotten box of cake mix, a bag of toffee bits I was pretty sure I bought for a holiday recipe I never made, and a lonely can of sweetened condensed milk sitting in the back of the cupboard. It wasn’t exactly a plan, but it was all I had to work with.
So, I threw everything together, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.
Twenty-five minutes later, my kitchen smelled like a bakery, and when I took my first bite—chewy, buttery, with just the right amount of crunch—I knew I had accidentally created something incredible.
My family devoured them within an hour. My husband took one bite and said, “You need to write this one down.” My kids? They didn’t even bother talking—just reached for another.
And that’s how this ridiculously easy, ridiculously good dessert became a household favorite. Now, every time I make them, they disappear just as fast.
Why You’ll Love This Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe?
- Only 5 ingredients. No grocery store run required.
- Minimal effort. No mixers, no fancy techniques—just mix, layer, and bake.
- Perfect texture. Chewy, buttery, with pockets of crunchy caramelized toffee.
- Crowd-pleaser. Great for potlucks, holidays, or when you just need something sweet.
- One pan = easy cleanup. You won’t be scrubbing dishes all night.
Ingredient Notes:
This recipe is so simple, but every ingredient plays a role in making it next-level delicious.
- Yellow Cake Mix – The shortcut that gives you a buttery, slightly chewy base.
- Butter (6 tbsp, melted) – Adds richness and keeps the bars soft.
- Egg – Helps bind everything together.
- Chocolate Toffee Bits (2 bags, 8 oz each) – Melts into crispy, caramel-like pockets throughout the bars.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 can, 14 oz) – Bakes into a thick, gooey, almost fudge-like layer.
How To Make Cake Mix Toffee Bars?
Step 1: Preheat & Prep the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (or line with parchment if you don’t feel like scrubbing later).
Step 2: Mix the Base
- In a bowl, combine yellow cake mix, melted butter, and egg.
- Stir until a thick dough forms. It might feel a little sticky—that’s totally normal.
Step 3: Press & Layer
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the chocolate toffee bits over the top in an even layer.
Step 4: Pour on the Magic
Want To Save This Recipe?
- Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over everything. It’ll look like a mess at first, but trust me—it’s about to turn into pure dessert gold.
Step 5: Bake Until Perfect
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center looks set.
- The bars will still be soft when they come out—resist the urge to cut them right away!
Step 6: Cool, Slice & Enjoy
- Let them cool completely before slicing. (I know, I know. But it’s worth the wait!)
- Cut into squares, serve, and watch them disappear.
Storage Options:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Fridge: Keeps well for a week—just let them come to room temp before eating.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Wrap individually for an easy grab-and-go treat.
- Make-Ahead: These bars taste even better the next day, so go ahead and bake them in advance!
Variations and Substitutions:
Want to mix things up? Try these twists:
- Swap the cake mix. Chocolate, butter pecan, or spice cake all work!
- Change up the toffee bits. Use chopped Heath bars, caramel chips, or even peanut butter chips.
- Add crunch. Chopped pecans or almonds take them to the next level.
- Make them extra chocolatey. Stir in a handful of mini chocolate chips.
- Drizzle with caramel. If you really want to go all out, drizzle warm caramel over the bars after baking.
What to Serve with Cake Mix Toffee Bars?
These bars are fantastic on their own, but if you want to take things up a notch:
- Vanilla ice cream. Because warm toffee bars + cold ice cream = perfection.
- A drizzle of hot fudge. Just in case they weren’t rich enough already.
- A hot cup of coffee. The bitterness balances out the sweetness beautifully.
- Whipped cream and extra toffee bits. Fancy, but easy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use homemade cake mix instead of a box?
Yes! Just use 2 cups of homemade cake mix and add ½ teaspoon baking powder.
Do I have to use sweetened condensed milk?
Absolutely—it’s what gives the bars their gooey, chewy texture. Without it, they’d be drier and more cookie-like.
Can I double this recipe?
Yep! Just bake in two 9×13 pans or a larger sheet pan and adjust the baking time by a few extra minutes.
I dare you to make a batch of these Cake Mix Toffee Bars and not immediately fall in love. They’re buttery, chewy, crunchy, and so stupidly easy to make.
Try them out, bring them to a party, and prepare for everyone to ask, “Wait… how did you make these?!”
Let me know how fast they disappear at your house!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Cake Mix Toffee Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 8-ounces bags chocolate toffee bits
- 1 14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Grease a baking dish that measures 9x13 inches.
- Combine the cake mix, melted butter and egg, in a mixing bowl until blended.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the greased dish.
- Evenly scatter the chocolate toffee bits over the mixture.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the toffee bits.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow it to cool before serving.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
5 Responses
These bars are so easy to make and delicious. I made them for my bridge group and had to make carry out bags for everyone. They also freeze very well( what few I had left). I’ll definitely be making them again.
Can these be made in an 8X8 pan? Do you know how much longer they would need to bake?
Thank you.
Hi Deborah,
Yes, you can make these Cake Mix Toffee Bars in an 8×8 pan! Since an 8×8 pan is smaller, the batter will be thicker, so the bars will take a little longer to bake. I’d recommend checking them at the 30-minute mark and then every 5 minutes after that. They’re ready when the edges are golden brown, and the center is set but still slightly gooey.
Let me know how they turn out! 😊
Can I bake, cool, then freeze the bars for a later time without losing
The integrity of the bar?
Hi Francine,
Yes, you can absolutely bake, cool, and freeze these Cake Mix Toffee Bars without compromising their integrity! Here’s how:
Bake and Cool: After baking, let the bars cool completely to room temperature. This prevents condensation (and soggy bars) when freezing.
Cut and Wrap: Cut the bars into individual portions. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.
Store in an Airtight Container: Place the wrapped bars in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. You can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Thaw: When ready to enjoy, let the bars thaw at room temperature for about 1-2 hours or in the fridge overnight.
This method keeps the bars moist and flavorful, just like when freshly baked. Let me know if you give it a try! 😊