Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate sweet treat: Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. These bars bring together the nostalgic crunch and peanut butter flavor of Reece’s Pieces candies with the classic, gooey goodness of chocolate chip cookie dough. With a simple box cake mix as the base, this recipe is an effortless way to impress family and friends with a rich, colorful dessert that’s bursting with texture and flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a casual get-together or just treating yourself, these bars have the perfect balance of melt-in-your-mouth softness and fun candy crunch to make your kitchen the happiest place to be.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward but packed with flavor and texture, making this recipe both easy and delicious. Each component plays a special role—from the buttery richness to the sweet, crunchy surprises of candy and chocolate.

• Yellow Cake Mix: The perfect, sweet base that keeps the bars soft and cakey without the fuss of measuring multiple ingredients.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps bring the cookie bars a tender, moist crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, inviting aroma that makes every bite more satisfying.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that wonderful, chewy texture.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Provide melty pockets of chocolate that complement the peanut butter candies perfectly.
• Reece’s Pieces Candies: The star ingredient, adding bright pops of color and a delightfully nutty crunch.

How to Make Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper—this makes removing your bars a breeze after baking while keeping the edges intact and neat.

Step 2: Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, vanilla extract, and eggs. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon, blend everything together until you have a cohesive, gooey dough. This step is where the magic begins, so don’t worry if it looks a bit softer than traditional cookie dough—it’s supposed to be that way!

Step 3: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Gently stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips by hand. You want them evenly spread throughout the dough without overmixing, which could make your bars tough. Those chocolate chips add lovely melty delights that balance the sweet and salty flavors beautifully.

Step 4: Press the Dough into the Pan

Dump the dough into your prepared pan and use your hands or a spatula to press it down evenly, making sure to reach all the corners. This creates the perfect even layer, so your bars bake uniformly with soft centers and golden edges.

Step 5: Add the Reece’s Pieces Candy Topping

Sprinkle the Reece’s Pieces candies evenly on top, pressing them lightly into the dough. This ensures they stick during baking and give you those iconic peanut buttery bursts without sinking all the way to the bottom.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake your bars for 20 to 25 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. You’re looking for golden brown edges and a center that’s just set but still a little soft. A slight underbake here is intentional to keep that irresistible fudgy texture.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Once out of the oven, allow your Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars to cool completely in the pan. This helps them firm up enough to slice into perfect bars without falling apart, so you get neat, tidy squares ready to serve.

How to Serve Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Garnishes

For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle a few more Reece’s Pieces on top just before serving to keep the vibrant color popping. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate can also add a festive flair and elevate the presentation.

Side Dishes

These cookie bars pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement their richness. A cold glass of milk or a creamy coffee drink balances the sweetness and makes for a wonderfully comforting treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn these bars into a show-stopping dessert by layering them with pudding or mousse in a parfait glass. Or cut into smaller bites and serve as part of a colorful dessert board alongside fresh fruit and nuts to impress at parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They’ll stay moist and delicious, just as if they were freshly baked.

Freezing

If you want to save these treats for later, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to two months and thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to indulge again.

Reheating

To warm up your bars, pop one in the microwave for about 10 seconds or toast briefly in a low-temperature oven. This revives that fresh-baked gooey texture and melty chocolate, making every bite as delightful as the first.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix offers a classic sweet base, you can experiment with vanilla or even butter-based cake mixes for subtle variations in flavor. Just keep in mind that stronger flavors might compete with the candy toppings.

Do I have to use Reece’s Pieces candies?

Reece’s Pieces are fantastic for their peanut butter and candy coating crunch, but if you’re out of them, chopped peanut butter cups or peanut butter M&Ms can be an excellent alternative to maintain that peanutty, sweet dynamic.

How gooey should the bars be when baked?

The edges should be golden and firm while the center remains slightly soft and fudgy. This ensures your bars are moist with just the right chewiness—overbaking can lead to dryness, so stick to the time range and test with a toothpick for best results.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the yellow cake mix with a gluten-free version and double-check that your Reece’s Pieces candies and chocolate chips don’t contain gluten. This way, everyone can enjoy the fun and flavor of these cookie bars.

What’s the best utensil for pressing the dough into the pan?

Your hands work wonderfully for evenly pressing the dough gently into every corner, but a rubber spatula or flat-bottomed measuring cup can also help create a smooth, packed surface without overworking the dough.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about baking Reece’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. They bring together effortless ingredients and classic flavors into a crowd-pleasing snack that’s both playful and satisfying. Once you try making these bars, you’ll find yourself turning to this recipe again and again to brighten up any occasion. So go ahead and dive in—your taste buds are in for a vibrant, sweet adventure!

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