Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars (gluten free + vegan

These are the easiest cookie bars to make, and taste nice and buttery thanks to the coconut oil and milk. The tablespoon of vanilla really makes these bars sing! You can use vanilla extract or paste.

Ingredients

1 bag Julie's Original White Cake Mix

1/3 cup melted virgin coconut oil

1/3 cup So Delicious coconut milk (the refrigerated or boxed kind), room temp or slightly warmed

1 tablespoon pure vanilla (I love Nielsen-Massey vanilla in these!)

1 cup dairy-free semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a metal 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and grease well.

  2. In a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, melted coconut oil, So Delicious coconut milk, and vanilla, Beat until the dough is completely mixed. This takes a minute or two to do, which is why I like the stand mixer. Stir in the chocolate chips. I find that I have to stir in the chocolate chips by hand to get them mixed in well.

  3. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. I find that a piece of plastic wrap placed on top makes it easier to press into the pan without it sticking to your hand. A plastic or rubber glove works well too.

  4. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 20 to 24 minutes (depending on your oven). The bars will be lightly golden and look slightly crisp on the edges. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

These cookie bars freeze really well. They will also keep well in the refrigerator for at least 5 days.

By Julie Hasson/

Melissa Brue