The recipe is finally here, GoGo’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars!!!
Named after my outstanding mother-in-law, whom we call GoGo, these bars are one of her specialties in the kitchen that everyone in her life knows and loves so very much! Growing up, my husband, Clayton, says that these oatmeal chocolate chip bars were a regular staple in their house and there was almost always a batch ready to be eaten at any given time. In fact, all of his high school friends know and love GoGo’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars and always rant and rave about how they loved them growing up! GoGo took them everywhere with her, and I completely understand why.
These chocolate chip bars are just about the easiest recipe to make, using limited ingredients and a box of yellow cake mix. It can be thrown together at any given time and taken to a friend in need of a little sweet treat, a potluck gathering or when hosting friends at your house.
While they are *fantastic* when warm or at room temperature, they are (arguably) better kept in the freezer and eaten straight out of there — a Snodgrass family secret! We carve them into squares, toss them in a ziplock and leave them in the freezer for a sweet treat whenever your heart desires or easily warmed up if that is what you prefer. But, if you do try our freezer trick, definitely let me know what you think!
GoGo’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- 1 [15-ounce] box Miss Jones vanilla cake mix *use my code 20DEFINED for 20% off
- ½ cup avocado oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 large egg
- 1 stick butter, softened
- ½ cup packed Miss Jones Smart Sugar *you can also use regular brown sugar here
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats *do not use quick oats
- 1 [8-ounce] package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a 9x13 metal baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, combine the avocado oil, water, egg, softened butter, smart sugar (or brown sugar if using) and only ½ of the bag of the vanilla cake mix. Mix at medium speed until well combined.
- Add the remaining cake mix and the oats. Mix over medium speed once more until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. Transfer to the parchment-lined baking pan and spread into an even layer using a rubber spatula.
- Transfer to the preheated oven and bake until the center has just set (you want it to still be pretty soft in the center so try to not over cook)-- mine takes exactly 30 minutes. It might not look completely done, but once it has time to set it will be perfect and still chewy in the center.Allow the bars to cool completely, at least 30 more minutes, before lifting the parchment paper out of the baking dish and carving into squares.
Notes
- Quick oats does not work as an alternative in this recipe!
- 1:1 substitute for brown sugar
- I do not like plain coconut sugar as a sub in this recipe
- I have tried grain-free boxed yellow cake mix as an alternative and it did not work the same.
112 Comments
Mari Cristiani
May 18, 2022 at 6:11 pmAlex, I made these awhile ago but remember coconut and nuts also? Am I going crazy? Daughter-in-law is coming home from the hospital after getting birth to my grandson and she loves these and wanted to make her some. If you could let me know I’d appreciate it, thank you
Alex
May 18, 2022 at 6:12 pmI think you may be thinking of this recipe! Similar, but has coconut, pretzels, etc.: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbqH0FZhkE_/
Whitney
May 4, 2022 at 6:33 pmTHE BEST. I make these for everything now! Meal train…you get GoGo’s bars! Need to cheer up a friend…you get GoGo’s bars! Teacher appreciation…you get Gogo’s bars! 100% success rate on asking for the recipe after delivery 🙂 Thank you Alex and GoGo!
Courtney
February 28, 2022 at 7:52 pmI have made these multiple times with yellow cake mix, canola oil, and brown sugar. They always turn out great. I agree with others about adding more choc chips. If I’m making them for something festive, I’ll also add white choc chips and 1/2 c of sprinkles to make them pop!
Anna Savage
February 18, 2022 at 6:03 pmI followed the recipe exactly how it is and they turned out perfect! Everyone loved them and asked when I could make them again.
Great for taking to a party or event because it makes so many.
Kelley
February 12, 2022 at 5:14 pmDo we think this would work out with m&ms instead of chocolate chips? Wanted to used festive Valentine’s Day colors!
Alex
February 15, 2022 at 12:07 amI bet it would be great with M&Ms!
Sonia
February 11, 2022 at 5:04 pmThey were really good, and not overly sweet (which I was worried about). I sprayed the dish before I baked them, and I think it made them more oily. I think I’ll experiment omitting the oil, just because it did come out quite oily. I also baked them 10 minutes longer than the recipe said, because they did look too underdone. They came out great! I’d make them again.
Kinsey
March 14, 2022 at 4:54 pmWill this work with bob mills gluten free rolled oats?
Alex
March 14, 2022 at 9:50 pmYes, it should work with that!
Suzy
January 30, 2022 at 7:55 pmI made these last week and they were SO good and SO easy that I’m making them again today! Thank you for sharing this special family recipe!
Brenna
January 27, 2022 at 11:00 pmI’m confused. Is it supposed to be yellow or vanilla cake mix?
itmevc
January 24, 2022 at 1:48 amLove these! So easy to make, they did seem gooey after 30 minutes but I trusted the process and I’m glad I did. I let them cool for 30 more mins and cut them (they still seemed gooey) but after popping in the freezer, they are truly perfect. They taste like cookie dough and are so tasty.
Amanda
January 23, 2022 at 10:28 pmI made these today after seeing you post them on Instagram last week and they are PERFECT! Plus I had a ripe banana that I needed to use, so I tossed it in. Still came out just right! My husband and teenage boys devoured them. Maybe the next batch can make it to the freezer, haha. This just became a staple in our house, tell GoGo thank you!!!
Jaime
January 22, 2022 at 10:36 pmWow! So good, so easy! I made them and then was requested to make them again 2 days later! I did have to let them set up a couple minutes more than 30mins. 2nd batch was made with King Arthur’s Gluten Free Yellow Cake because I was unable to find Miss Jones’ this time. It was equally delicious but had to stay in around 38mins or so to set up. All in all myself and my family are clearly obsessed with these! I will say that I also tried the freezer trick but almost broke a tooth haha. I much prefer them warm and room temperature. They are divine. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
BT
January 21, 2022 at 10:50 pmEchoing comments about the consistency- these did NOT set. I almost ruined the batch while I took them out of the pan. These need another 10 minutes minimum.
Francesca Oskwarek
February 4, 2022 at 7:01 pmAgree! I had to leave in for longer! But let it set for a while in the pan. They are so good but for some reason my pan was so oily. Anyone else?
Jenna
January 21, 2022 at 4:25 pmShould I make any changes to the cooking time if I am baking these in a glass dish and not a metal one?
Alex
January 21, 2022 at 5:15 pmit should be the same– I usually bake mine in glass or porcelain
Dana
January 20, 2022 at 10:07 pmHow long do these last? And how should they be stored?
Alex
January 21, 2022 at 3:44 pmI’d say they last about 5 days stored in an air-tight container. But we love freezing them! I carve into squares and store in the freezer and eat them frozen. DELISH!!
Madeline
January 20, 2022 at 8:49 pmSO GOOD! Added the tiniest splash of almond extract and sprinkled sea salt on top and was mind blowing
DD queen
January 20, 2022 at 7:00 pmIf you’re like me and entirely missed all of Alex’s ‘don’t use quick oats’ warnings until it was too late and are now in the comments hoping for a miracle, don’t fret! I used quick oats and added an extra egg, covered the pan and baked as suggested. At the end, I baked for about 5 more minutes without the foil to let them brown on top. They’re a chewier and thicker version, but still just as tasty! Follow Alex’s directions, but if you didn’t, you’ll be okay!
Alex
January 20, 2022 at 8:18 pmThank you so much for sharing this!! Glad you were able to make it work and excited for you to try again with old-fashioned oats.
Megan K
January 29, 2022 at 7:22 pmCan you use coconut oil instead?
Alex
January 31, 2022 at 6:47 pmyes that is just fine!
Rubi
January 20, 2022 at 4:27 amHow long do I wait to slice . The middle is still mushy . Is that normal ? Or do I cook longer ?
Alex
January 20, 2022 at 8:20 pmYou will want to leave them in the pan for at least 30 minutes to cool then lift out using the parchment paper then slice. Cooling in the pan will allow the bars to continue to bake slightly and make it easier to cut.
Melissa
January 18, 2022 at 2:39 amCan regular coconut sugar be subbed for the miss Jones smart sugar? Can’t wait to make these. Thanks!!
Pamela
April 27, 2021 at 10:10 pmThese are a new favorite! So easy to make gluten free and they are delicious! I only had a glass pan so I added five minutes to the time. Thank you for sharing GOGO! You’ll be famous in Detroit now too!
Stephanie
January 19, 2022 at 4:41 amWhat gluten free cake mix did you use??
Khaili
April 26, 2021 at 9:22 pmYum! We baked them in a 9×13 glass pan lined with parchment paper for 38 minutes and they’re perfect. I usually don’t like frozen chocolate or baked goods but we put half the batch in the freezer after they were cut and I agree- they’re best frozen! Thanks for sharing 🤗
Kellie
April 14, 2021 at 10:21 pmhi there, I love that mixing bowl with paddles. Where did you find that?
Alex
April 15, 2021 at 1:45 pmIt is a Nutrimill Mixer!
Courtney
April 11, 2021 at 5:09 amPutting these in the freezer is a GAME CHANGER. So good omg
Jenny B
April 10, 2021 at 8:00 pmHi! How do I make these if I don’t have yellow cake mix?
Jenny
April 10, 2021 at 1:30 amHi! I don’t have cake mix. Is that a deal breaker for the recipe? What would I use instead?
Alex
April 11, 2021 at 10:40 pmFor this recipe– you’ll need a cake mix!
Jennifer Wiseman
April 24, 2021 at 1:04 amDoes the cake mix have to be miss Jones, or will Betty crocker work?
Alex
April 25, 2021 at 6:58 pmBetty Crocker will work!
Lindsey
January 18, 2022 at 12:25 amHave you tried these with a non dairy butter substitute like miyoko’s? I LOVE this recipe but recently had to eliminate dairy from my diet. Wondering if it’s any good with a butter sub?
Carolyn C
January 19, 2022 at 4:25 pmI just tried them with myokos butter and they are delish! I haven’t ever made them before, but I’m dairy and soy free (for a nursing baby who can’t have either) so anything cookie like I can have is pretty amazing!
Laura B.
April 8, 2021 at 7:23 pmMade these with vegetable oil, brown sugar and traditional yellow cake mix. So good! Highly recommend the freezer tip. They are the perfect snack and I definitely savor it more eating it out of the freezer.
Joy B
March 29, 2021 at 7:56 pmI made these yesterday and they are perfect! Everyone loved them.
Teri
March 28, 2021 at 7:46 pmI have made these every week since I received the recipe! So tasty, so easy and even better frozen……Every time I go into the freezer for one they have magically disappeared.
Alex
March 28, 2021 at 11:18 pmhaha, same here!! glad you love them!
Tejal
March 27, 2021 at 5:34 pmMine didn’t set and I followed the directions to a T. The only differences being that I used olive oil instead of avocado oil and used a glass baking pan instead of metal. Do I just need to bake it longer??
Gail
April 15, 2021 at 12:11 amFirst time I made them with yellow cake mix and baked exactly 30 minutes. They were so yummy, especially frozen. I only had chocolate chunk chips and A partial bag of dark chips. I’m sure I added more than 8 oz. Anyway, the next time I used white cake mix and only 8 oz. Not nearly as good! Yellow cake and lots more chips is the way to go or should I say Go-Go!:)
Stefanie Wilson
March 26, 2021 at 2:09 amThese were delicious! I used a regular boxed yellow cake mix, canola oil, and brown sugar for substitutions. I thought the recipe called for too much chocolate so I’ll use less next time. Otherwise, these were perfect!
Allie
March 25, 2021 at 8:17 pmHi Alex! Can you use coconut oil instead of avocado oil?
Eve
April 13, 2021 at 2:27 pmHi! I just bought all the ingredients for these but I live in Colorado and my baking is always off when I try to do normal recipes. Do you have any recommendations on how to adjust for altitude baking?
Alex
April 13, 2021 at 6:02 pmI wish I knew more about altitude baking. But here is a great article that may provide helpful tips/tricks:
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/high-altitude-cake-baking/
Eve
April 19, 2021 at 7:05 pmUsed some of those tips!! Little less sugar, little more water. Temp 25′ higher since we live over 5000 feet. They turned out amazing! Love them frozen. Thank you!
Elizabeth
May 15, 2021 at 3:02 amI’m trying make these for the first time at 7300 feet so 🤞. Definitely going to have to add more baking time
Claire
April 26, 2021 at 1:39 amI’m a hot, gooey cookie lover. But the freezer tip… shockingly fabulous! I baked this in a ceramic 13×9, not metal, and added about 10 minutes. It was perfect!
Lily
March 20, 2021 at 9:29 pmThese are amazing!!! I did add an extra 7-8 mins to the cooking time. Everything else I used the exact ingredients and brands in the recipe. Huge hit even with my super picky kids. A new staple in our home. Thank you Alex!!!
Alex
March 21, 2021 at 12:39 pmThanks, Lily!! Glad you loved them!
amy
March 18, 2021 at 4:42 amI used a sugar free yellow cake mix and regular brown sugar. The sweetness was perfect. Took them to share with fellow nurses at work and you bet they’re getting devoured. What an easy recipe!
Alyssia
March 18, 2021 at 1:04 amThis sounds amazing! I just found out I can’t eat eggs.. Can you use egg substitue?
Alex
March 18, 2021 at 8:21 pmI’d use a ‘flax egg’
Stacey Jennette
March 17, 2021 at 10:17 pmI can’t wait to try these….thank you! Is this the correct Miss Jones Bakes code? I tried it and it didn’t work.
Alex
March 18, 2021 at 8:22 pmit might already be expired, let me ask them!
Bianca
May 18, 2021 at 2:07 amThe recipe calls for 1/4 c water, but when watching the video no water is added. Took mine out after 30 min and let it set. Still completely mushy. Do you use water?
Heidi
March 16, 2021 at 10:23 pmJust made these and my kids could hardly wait for them to cool down to eat, they are SO good!!! Made with olive oil because I didn’t have avocado oil on hand, and not a fan of using vegetable oil. Will definitely be making these as a regular staple. Thanks for another winner Alex!!
Rachel K
March 14, 2021 at 10:48 pmGod bless Gogo! These are so good. I added chopped pecans and they were incredible. Definitely going to be my new party dessert go-to.
Sarah
March 14, 2021 at 8:43 pmSo good! Snuck a taste test spoonful right out of the oven…Yum!
Alexis
March 14, 2021 at 8:37 pmIf you don’t have a metal baking pan, just Pyrex, should the temperature or bake time be adjusted?
Alex
March 17, 2021 at 12:58 pmIt should still work just fine– just be sure to use parchment paper so it doesn’t stick.
Noreen
March 13, 2021 at 10:02 pmOmg these are amazing !however mine did not set 😞 edges were good but center in mush … I took them out at 30 minutes mark but should have trusted my gut and let it cook maybe 5-10 minutes more . Not sure what I did ?
Courtney
March 13, 2021 at 8:18 pmThese are incredible!!! Thank you for sharing this family recipe ☺️
Hannah
March 13, 2021 at 8:02 pmAlex, tell your MIL that these were an absolute hit! My foster daughter is obsessed with baking and this was such an easy recipe that she could do on her own. GoGos bars didn’t make it long in our house! Thanks!
Noreen
March 13, 2021 at 12:25 amUgh..
I just made these and mine did not set after baking 30 minutes 😞 the batter is quite wet in the middle but the edges area so yummy ! I think it needed 10 more minutes maybe ?
Suzanne
March 12, 2021 at 9:51 pmAllergic to eggs, could I use extra oil instead or maybe applesauce?
Alex
March 17, 2021 at 1:00 pmI haven’t yet tried it with these substitutes– but I think a ‘flax egg’ would work best.
J
March 12, 2021 at 3:55 pmcan i substitute something else for the avocado oil?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 4:30 pmmy Mother-in-law uses vegetable oil.
DW
March 14, 2021 at 3:39 pmCan u start putting calories and other nutritional information w/ your recipes please?
Elle
March 12, 2021 at 4:13 amIs there any way to do this without a mixer?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 1:14 pmYes, you can put those arm muscles to work and just stir the heck out of it! haha– the butter is a little more difficult to really combine, but totally doable.
Emily
March 20, 2021 at 8:24 pmSo good! I used a 365 GF cake mix from Whole Foods and tossed in an extra 1/3 C oats. Crossed my fingers, and it worked out great!
My 2 SILs and I are all preggo together and nibbled off the frozen stash of what was left 🙂 (not that it lasted long…)
Everyone has made another batch!
Love that this is a family recipe! <3
Alex
March 21, 2021 at 12:40 pmso fun!!! Glad you all loved it!
Lindsey
March 12, 2021 at 3:38 amThese look incredible! I don’t like my baked goods very sweet so I’m wondering what your thoughts are about leaving out the sugar altogether? Between the Cake mix and the chocolate I’d imagine they’re sweet enough for me but not sure if it changes the baking composition. Wish I could tolerate monk fruit or other alternative sweeteners 😣
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 1:11 pmI honestly haven’t tried it without the addition of the sugar.
Nichole Thorsky
March 15, 2021 at 3:26 pmJust made these yesterday, they are SO good, but honestly, I feel like they would be better without extra sugar added. They are a bit too sweet for me, so good in small doses though!!
Kelly
March 24, 2021 at 6:28 pmI actually just made these and accidentally left out the sugar! Still delicious!
Alex
March 28, 2021 at 11:22 pmglad they still turned out well for you!
Allyson Schaeffer
March 12, 2021 at 3:35 amThe sound amazing. So presumably your mother-in-law made these with yellow cake mix and brown sugar back in the day. Could I use both of those and maintain flavor or no?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 1:12 pmyes, exactly!! You can definitely opt to make it that way, also!
Allyson Schaeffer
March 13, 2021 at 12:58 amThanks so much, Alex! STOKED to make these!
MV
March 12, 2021 at 1:56 amAny gluten free suggestions for the cake mix?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 2:06 amI haven’t tried any GF cake mixes personally, but on IG some folks recommended King Arthur Brand!
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 12:21 pmSalted or unsalted butter!?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 1:11 pmPreferably unsalted, but both works!! I usually use salted, only because that’s what I buy regularly and have on hand.
Nichole Thorsky
March 15, 2021 at 3:28 pmI made this yesterday and used Pamela’s GF vanilla cake mix, it came out great. I’m sure any would work. Next time I’d probably opt for duncan hines gf option.
Beverly
March 18, 2021 at 4:03 amAldi sells a good gf cake mix if you have that store in your area.
Sondra
March 12, 2021 at 12:50 amLooks yummy and simple… thank you for sharing. Can I use any yellow cake mix?
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 2:04 amYou can!! It does adjust the flavor a bit depending on the brand. I jsut don’t recommend using a grain-free mix.
Sondra
March 12, 2021 at 11:51 amThanks!!
Cameron
March 12, 2021 at 12:07 amCan you use any other cake mix?
Chelsea
March 11, 2021 at 11:58 pmHi!! If I want to make this tonight (and don’t have Miss Jones) can I use regular(not grain free) boxed cake mix??
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 2:04 amyes you can!
Cheryl Clift
March 12, 2021 at 3:50 amFreezing cookies, cookie bars, and brownies has always been our favorite way to eat what I make for the family and friends as well!
Stephanie
January 30, 2022 at 11:34 pmSo delicious. I’m a baking amateur, but this was entire family approved. We omitted the brown sugar and cooked it in a 10 inch cast iron skillet since we didn’t have the appropriate baking dish. Cooked it for about 50 minutes and it came out perfect! Have half in the freezer to try it the Snodgrass way!
Kelley
March 11, 2021 at 10:58 pmCould you substitute ghee for the butter!!
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 2:05 amIt will change the flavor, but it should work
marie
January 19, 2022 at 8:44 pmLooks like another winner! Can’t wait to try it out.
Do you think i could sub a dairy free butter alternative for the butter?
Alex
January 20, 2022 at 8:23 pmYes! I have not tried with vegan butter, but someone previously commented that they used Miyoko’s vegan butter and that the recipe still worked well.
Katherine
March 11, 2021 at 10:38 pmHey quick question. Your videos say 20 min baking time but your recipe says 30. Is it 20 or 30? Thanks!
Alex
March 11, 2021 at 10:47 pmIt’s 30 mins!! sorry for the confusion from my stories!! ah!
Xio
March 12, 2021 at 3:46 pmHi 🙂
Can I use a regular hand mixer for this? I don’t have the big mixer you used
Alex
March 12, 2021 at 4:31 pmyes, should work just fine
Maddie
March 18, 2021 at 4:05 amI baked these in a 9×9 pan for about 45 mins and they turned out perfect!