Valentine Cake Mix Bars

Valentine cake bars are a decadent, Valentine’s day dessert that you’ll want to have all year. Sweet vanilla cake and pudding mix are combined and dotted with seasonal sweet garnishes to make for a perfect ending to the evening.

The great thing about this recipe is that there are so few ingredients and it takes just a tiny bit of time to bring it all together. No one will guess that such a decadent dessert took such little time.

If you’re looking for a way to impress your partner, or you need an easy way to pull together a quick dessert for a Valentine’s party, this should be your go-to. You can also customize it for other events or holidays!

Common Questions about Valentine Cake Mix Bars

Why use cake mix?

Cake mix is a great way to make lots of baked goods besides just cake. Bread, cookies, cupcakes, rolls, and, of course, cake mix cookie bars are all amazing baked goods you can use a cake mix to make.

Is it really okay to use cake mix?

According to some professional bakers, even bakeries use cake mixes sometimes. You can transform a store-bought mix easily with a few tricks — just like this recipe does. 

Making Valentine Cake Mix Bars Ahead of Time

This recipe is so quick and requires so little effort, you don’t need to do any parts ahead of time but you can make it and store it before serving.

Storage

You’ll want to serve these bars to your sweet while they’re fresh but you can store them, too.

Refrigerator: Keep these in the fridge for 3-5 days wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

Freezing: Freeze these bars for up to 3 months in aluminum foil, a freezer bag, or a freezer-safe container.

Tips For The Best Valentine Cake Mix Bars

• Be sure not to follow the directions to make the pudding — only use the powder for the recipe.
• Ensure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated so you get the best bite every time.
• Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting if you choose to. If not, the frosting will liquify.

Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these delicious bars.

Bars

• Vanilla cake mix or white
• Instant vanilla pudding  
• Vegetable oil
• Water
• Eggs

Decorating

• Heart sprinkles and/or Valentine jimmies
• Red M&Ms

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need 

You don’t need too many kitchen tools to make these cake bars.

• 9×13 pan
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Parchment paper

How to Make Valentine Cake Mix Bars

It couldn’t be easier to make these tasty treats.

1. Combine cake mix, pudding powder, oil, water, and eggs in a large bowl and mix well using an electric mixer, stand mixer, or whisk. 
2. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the sprinkles. 
3. Pour the cake batter from the large mixing bowl into the prepared baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper, ensuring that the batter is even by tapping the dish on the counter before placing in the oven.
4. Bake the mixture until it’s set and passes the toothpick test. 
5. Allow the bars to completely cool to room temperature. 
6. After cooling, frost or add sprinkles.

What to Serve With Valentine Cake Mix Bars

You can serve anything that you would with any dessert from milk to coffee. Here are a few other ideas. 

• Spiked coffee – Add some Frangelico or Bailey’s to a home-brewed cup of coffee for an especially sweet side for this treat. 
• Frozen goodness – Serve these with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, gelato, or sorbet. 
• Cocktails – Sweeten the evening with an espresso martini or other cocktail.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

• Easy – These sweet treats couldn’t be easier to make — they have only a few ingredients and some simple steps.
• Affordable – You couldn’t find an easier ingredient list that’s cost-effective like this one for a pretty Valentine’s Day treat.
• Versatile – These are intended for Valentine’s Day but you can customize them to be a year-long treat. Use any type of festival sprinkles!

Variations and Add-ins

These are the most adorable Valentine’s treats but you can add your signature style to them, too. 

• Chocolate – Who doesn’t love chocolate on Valentine’s Day? Add some mini white, milk, or dark chocolate chips to the top.
• Cake mix – Use any flavor that you like!
• Shapes – Instead of just slicing, cut these with a cookie cutter into the shapes you like.
• Peanut butter – Add a bit of nut butter for a fun twist.
• Extract – For added flavor, add a few drops of vanilla extract or use some strawberry for strawberry flavor. Or use your favorite extract flavor.
• Food coloring – For extra seasonal flair add a few drops of red food coloring to the batter.
• Cake mix – You can use chocolate cake mix, red velvet cake mix, or any other flavor you prefer.
• Frosting – If you want a topping, make an easy glaze or a tangy cream cheese frosting to spread over top.

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If you love this easy Valentine’s Cake Mix Bars recipe, you’re going to love these other Valentine’s ideas too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

Other Dreamy Desserts for Valentine’s Day

Valentine Oreo Truffles

Valentine Shortbread Cookies

Sprinkle Sugar Cookies for Valentine’s Day

Valentine Chocolate Chip Cookies

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If you love this recipe for Homemade Valentine’s Cake Mix Bars as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

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