Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies

Sprinkles!  They just make me want to use exclamation points!! Exclamation point!!!  If a treat covered in sprinkles doesn't just make your day, then I really don't know what would.  It just adds that little extra something.  I made these cookies to celebrate the one year anniversary of my baking group, Bakin' Friends.  Our ingredient for the month was sprinkles and I was so excited! Exclamation point!!

I also, kind of, sorta, cheated with these cookies.  The main ingredient is Funfetti cake mix!  Probably one of the easier cookies I have made in a while.  However, don't go thinking these taste less than awesome.  No one has to know you didn't spend tons of time getting out all your measuring cups.  Oh, on top of cake mix?? There's also pudding mix in these little cookies.  Pudding mix really helps make these cookies soft.  It doesn't change the flavor, but definitely improves the overall texture of the cookie.

There are already sprinkles in the cake mix, but I threw a few extra star-shaped sprinkles on top prior to baking.  I think I'll try these again and use holiday sprinkles.  The flavor is fun.  It's like cake, but like a cookie.  If you like Funfetti cake, and who doesn't, you'll love these cookies. If you have something coming up that demands a fun celebratory cookie, you've got it right here.

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies

1 box Funfetti cake mix

1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

extra sprinkles for fun

Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheet with parchment or a silpat.

In a large bowl combine all ingredients, except the extra sprinkles.  Stir together until a dough forms.  Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet.    Press extra sprinkles into the top of dough.  Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Cookies will just start to brown. They may appear underdone, but don't bake longer than 10 minutes.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.

You'll probably want to make two batches of these cookies.  I had a hard time sending them off in the mail. I'm looking forward to trying more cookies like these.  Not a lot of work, but major reward!  That deserves extra sprinkles!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

As you know, I am not opposed to using box mixes to create a baked good.  I mean, time is a luxury these days and every so often you have to bring in some reinforcements.  I was pretty happy when I stumbled upon the Cake Mix Doctor.   Tons of great ways to use cake mix in recipes.  I had some yellow cake mix in the pantry ready for some baking.  

Yellow cake mix, peanut butter, chocolate. All together these ingredients made a tasty bar with just enough peanut butter flavor, you would never guess they were made with a boxed cake mix.  Don't take my word for it...make them yourself!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

recipe adapted from The cake mix doctor

1 package (18.25 ounce) yellow cake mix

1 cup peanut butter

8 Tablespoons melted butter

2 eggs

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

2 Tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 325.  Line a 13x9pan with parchment paper.

Place the cake mix, peanut butter, butter and eggs in the bowl of your stand mixer and beat on low for one minute.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl until completely mixed. Batter will be thick.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups of batter for your topping.  Spread the remaining mixture in the bottom of your pan, using your fingers to completely cover the bottom of the pan.  

For the chocolate filling:

Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and 2 Tablespoons butter in a medium pot over low heat.  Stir until chocolate is melted and ingredients are combined, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Pour chocolate mixture over crust, using a spatula to spread evenly.  Use your fingertips to crumble the reserved batter over the top of the chocolate layer.

Bake until golden brown 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool completely before cutting.

Easy enough right?  People will be pleasantly surprised to know you created these bars from a cake mix..but you don't have to tell them if you don't want to!