Why You’ll Love Reece’s Pieces Cookie Bars Recipe
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The combination of soft cookie base, melty chocolate chips and colorful peanut‑butter candies offers an irresistible textural and flavor contrast.
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It comes together in about 35 minutes (10 minutes prep + ~25 minutes bake) — great when you want a dessert without spending hours.
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The bright candies on top make it a playful treat for parties, potlucks or family snack time.
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You likely already have most of the ingredients, making it an easy “pantry raid” dessert.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 box yellow cake mix (about 15.25 ounces)
½ cup (1‑stick) melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups semi‑sweet chocolate chips
1 small box of Reece’s Pieces candies (about 4 ounces)
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13‑inch baking pan or line it with parchment for easy removal.
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In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, vanilla extract and eggs. Mix until a gooey dough forms (use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon).
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Add the chocolate chips and stir by hand until evenly distributed — avoid overmixing.
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Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and press it evenly into the corners with your hands or a spatula.
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Sprinkle the Reece’s Pieces candies evenly over the top. Lightly press them into the dough so they adhere during baking.
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Bake for about 20‑25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is just set. For extra gooey bars, it’s better to slightly underbake.
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Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars. Enjoy!
Servings and timing
Prep time: ~10 minutes
Bake time: ~25 minutes
Total time: ~35 minutes
Makes about 12 servings.
Variations
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Swap white or vanilla cake mix instead of yellow for a slightly lighter base.
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Replace some or all of the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips to amplify the peanut butter flavor.
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Use other candies instead of Reece’s Pieces — try M&Ms, chopped peanut butter cups, or even a mix of candy types.
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For thicker bars, bake in a smaller pan and increase baking time slightly.
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To make a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix (the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free).
Storage/Reheating
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Once cooled, store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
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For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to one week.
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Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.
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To reheat: Microwave a bar for about 10‑15 seconds until soft and gooey. If frozen, thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
FAQs
What if I don’t have a yellow cake mix?
You can use a white or vanilla cake mix instead, or make a homemade blondie base if you prefer.
Can I use other candies instead of Reece’s Pieces?
Absolutely. Try M&Ms, chopped peanut butter cups, or any colorful candy you like for variation.
How do I make these bars gluten‑free?
Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. The rest of the ingredients are typically gluten-free but always double-check your candy brand.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes — double the ingredients and bake in a half-sheet pan. Increase the baking time by 5–10 minutes.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes — they keep well for several days and the flavors often improve after sitting overnight.
Can I use a smaller baking pan for thicker bars?
Yes — just increase the baking time slightly so the center bakes through.
Should I cut the bars while they’re still warm?
Let them cool completely for clean, even cuts. Warm bars may fall apart.
Can I swap the semi‑sweet chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate?
Definitely — use your favorite chocolate type for a custom flavor profile.
What kind of pan should I use?
A 9×13‑inch baking pan is ideal. You can also line it with parchment for easier cleanup and removal.
How can I make the bars extra gooey?
Slightly underbake them — pull them out when the edges are golden and the center still looks just set.
Conclusion
These Reece’s Pieces cookie bars are a cheerful, easy-to-make dessert that combines gooey chocolate, a soft cookie base, and crunchy peanut butter candy. Whether you’re whipping them up for a celebration or a quick family treat, they deliver big flavor with minimal effort. Perfect for when you want something sweet, colorful, and crowd-pleasing without the fuss.
