My family eats a decent amount of "whole foods."  You know...things that are made by me and do not come from a bag or box.  However, I frequently supplement my "from scratch" foods with processed foods.  For example, though I make chicken noodle soup, we also keep a few cans on hand.  I also make homemade macaroni and cheese, but every few weeks that seven minute delight (for the children at least) is made.  Though one night we may have pork chops and rice, the next night we might eat the left over pork chops with French fries from the freezer.  We buy a few loaves of bread each week.  (My husband prefers store bought bread for sandwiches.  The children and I use homemade if it's available.)  And we eat cereal for breakfast daily.  And my husband doesn't prefer homemade pancakes, so it's always Bisquick.  So you see, I balance easy with homemade every day.  (I do not shop in the freezer aisle for prepared meats/meals.)

If you are looking for a quick cookie fix, cake mix bar cookies might do it for you.  They are made in minutes with your favorite cake mix-or whichever you have on hand.  Below I used yellow and chocolate cake mix.  Add chocolate, white, butterscotch, or peanut butter chips.  Throw in some nuts for variety if you enjoy them...and you are pretty much done.  

When cake mixes are on sale for $1, I like to buy a couple.  (Unless of course, I know that I have an expired cake mix in my pantry just waiting to be used, which was finally used last week.)  I actually am not a big fan of cake, but cookies-yep!  I'm in!  

Now just to clarify, these may not give you the same exact satisfied feeling of a delicious chocolate chip cookie.  (CCC recipe coming soon thanks to my new friend.)  But, they are a cookie, and fast.  They are not my preferred cookie, but I still make them a couple times a year.  Because they are 1) fast, 2) easy, and 3) good (enough).  They are still fast and easy when children are helping which is a bonus.

(If you are looking for Cake Mix Drop Cookies, try this recipe!  Made with chocolate cake mix along with chocolate AND peanut butter chips...very good!  I do prefer them over the bar cookie, but if I am making something this quick, then I really want it to be quick.)

Cake Mix Bar Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake mix, any flavor, dry

1 1/2-2 cups chips, any flavor

1/2 cup nuts, optional

Cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and vanilla.  Beat for 1 minute.  Add cake mix.  Beat for 1 minute.  Stir in chips and nuts.  Spread in a greased 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes.

I think I prefer chocolate cake mixes combined with chocolate AND peanut butter chips!

Here is another recipe.  I've made them both, but not close enough together to know which recipe I prefer.

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 Tablespoons water

Cake mix, any flavor

1 1/2 cup chips

1 cup nuts, optional

Mix all together except chips and nuts for 1-2 minutes.  Add chips and stir.  Spread in a prepared 9x13 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350°.

Do you like to take shortcuts when cooking by using prepared/packaged foods?