Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe

There’s nothing like transforming a simple yellow cake mix into decadent toffee and nut bars that are as easy to make as they are to devour. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this sinfully sweet creation!

I love how easy it is to make Cake Mix Toffee Bars, which start with a yellow cake mix base and go on to include creamy condensed milk, sweet and rich unsalted butter, toffee bits, and chopped pecans, all of which somehow manage to make these bars sooo much more than the sum of their parts! I mean, how many ways can you flavor sweetened condensed milk, and make it seem as if you’ve accomplished something Way Fancier and More Complicated than these bars actually require?!

Ingredients

• Yellow Cake Mix: Provides structure, sweetness, and flavor; main carbohydrate source.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture; provides fat for tender texture.
• Toffee Bits: Sweet, crunchy texture; enhances caramel flavor profile.
• Pecans or Walnuts: Adds crunch, healthy fats, and protein; nutrient-rich.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy sweetness; binds and adds moisture to bars.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 package yellow cake mix (around 15.25 ounces)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup toffee bits
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

How to Make this

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of grease.

2. In a big mixing bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs together. Stir until well combined.

3. Place about half of the cake mix batter into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

4. Bake the bottom layer for around 10 minutes, or until it is set just enough to hold together. Take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for a bit.

5. Evenly distribute the toffee bits and chopped pecans over the partially finished base layer.

6. Spread the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the toffee and nut layer.

7. Crumble the leftover cake mix dough on top, attempting to cover the filling as evenly as you can.

8. Put the baking dish back in the oven and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.

9. Take the bars out of the oven and let them cool all the way down in the baking dish on a wire rack.

10. After cooling, cut into bars and serve. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9×13-inch baking dish
3. Mixing bowl
4. Measuring cups
5. Measuring spoons
6. Whisk or mixing spoon
7. Spatula
8. Wire cooling rack
9. Knife (for cutting into bars)
10. Airtight container (for storage)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?You can replace the yellow cake mix with other flavors, but it might change the flavor of the bars a little bit.
• Can I make this recipe nut-free?Sure! Just leave out the nuts or substitute them with extra toffee bits or chocolate chips.
• Is there a substitute for sweetened condensed milk?Sweetened condensed milk is critical for the bars’ sweet flavor and chewy texture.
• How should I store these toffee bars?Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for no longer than a week or stash them in the freezer for up to three months.
• Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?Indeed, adding chocolate chips will amp up the flavor and can be a tasty addition to these bars.
• Will salted butter work instead of unsalted?You can, of course, use the recipe. Just cut down on the salt that gets put into it. Otherwise, you end up with something that is exactly what was remarked earlier—a recipe for saltiness.

Cake Mix Toffee Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use crushed Heath or Skor bars in place of toffee bits.
For chopped pecans or walnuts, try using sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts.
You can make a version of sweetened condensed milk at home by simmering a mixture of sugar and evaporated milk until it is thick. If you don’t have any on hand, this method will serve you well.

Pro Tips

1. Line the Baking Dish To make it easier to remove the bars after baking, line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang. This will allow you to lift the bars out effortlessly once they have cooled, making cutting and serving easier.

2. Chill the Batter Before spreading the remaining cake mix dough on top, consider chilling it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to crumble and distribute evenly over the filling.

3. Toast the Nuts For enhanced flavor, toast the pecans or walnuts before adding them to the recipe. Simply spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they become fragrant. Let them cool before adding to the dish.

4. Variations with Flavors Consider incorporating a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract into the cake mix batter for an added depth of flavor. This small addition can enhance the overall taste of the bars.

5. Chill Before Serving Once the bars have cooled to room temperature, place them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to an hour before cutting. This will help them set further, making it easier to achieve clean, precise cuts.