There is something mighty satisfying about a simple bar cookie that comes together from pantry staples and bakes up into a treat fit for a church supper, potluck, or a quiet Saturday at home. These oven baked malted milk chocolate bars make the most of that old-fashioned malt shop flavor so many of us grew up loving, with whole malted milk balls tucked right into the batter for little crunchy surprises in every bite. It is the kind of practical, sweet recipe that feels right at home in a Midwestern kitchen, where a clear baking dish, a handful of familiar ingredients, and a warm oven can still make something special.
Serve these bars cut into small squares with cold milk, hot coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to dress them up a bit. They also travel well on a dessert tray alongside brownies, peanut butter bars, and oatmeal cookies, and they make a fine ending to a simple supper of soup, sandwiches, or a roast chicken dinner when you want just a little something sweet afterward.
Oven Baked 5-Ingredient Malted Milk Chocolate Bars
Servings: 16 bars
Finished malted milk chocolate bars in a glass baking dish
Finished malted milk chocolate bars in a glass baking dish
Ingredients
1 box chocolate cake mix, about 15.25 ounces
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups whole unwrapped malted milk balls
Measured ingredients for malted milk chocolate bars
Measured ingredients for malted milk chocolate bars
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a clear glass 9×13 baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until a very thick batter forms.
Thick chocolate batter being mixed in a bowl
Thick chocolate batter being mixed in a bowl
3. Fold in the chocolate chips and about 1 1/2 cups of the malted milk balls, leaving the rest for the top.
Chocolate chips and malted milk balls folded into batter
Chocolate chips and malted milk balls folded into batter
4. Press the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Scatter the remaining malted milk balls over the top and gently press them in so they sit securely.
Unbaked bar batter pressed into glass dish with malted milk balls on top
Unbaked bar batter pressed into glass dish with malted milk balls on top
5. Bake for 22 to 28 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is just cooked through. Be careful not to overbake if you want a soft, chewy bar.
6. Cool completely in the dish before cutting into 16 squares and serving.
Plated malted milk chocolate bars cut into squares
Plated malted milk chocolate bars cut into squares
Variations & Tips
For extra crunch: Save a few more malted milk balls for the top and press them in after about 10 minutes of baking so they stay a little more distinct. That gives the bars a prettier finish and a bit more texture.
For cleaner slices: Let the bars cool fully, then chill the dish for 20 to 30 minutes before cutting. A sharp knife wiped clean between cuts will give you tidy squares fit for a bake sale table.
For a richer chocolate flavor: Use dark chocolate chips in place of semisweet. It balances the sweetness nicely and gives the bars a deeper, more old-fashioned chocolate taste.
Dark chocolate version of malted milk bars
Dark chocolate version of malted milk bars
For easy pan removal: If you prefer lifting the bars out whole, line the dish with parchment paper before pressing in the batter. Even in a glass dish, that little step can make serving much simpler.