Chess squares are a great homemade recipe. The chess squares, or chess bars, are an easy recipe made from scratch that all of your friends and family will love. The squares, made with cream cheese, are perfect for parties, Christmas, or any time of year.
Chess Squares Recipe
If ya’ll ever go to church in the South, you can be assured of a couple of things. First of all, there will be a potluck after the service–at least once a month.
And second–and most importantly–the dessert table will be covered up with treats. Southerners love to bake.
And chess squares are always on the table. But, you gotta be first in line to get one, because if you decide to stand around and chit-chat, they’ll be long gone, and you’ll be sorry. Real sorry.
I have always loved chess squares. I love them so much; they should call them crack squares. They are addictive, and could potentially start a fight over the last square–yep, even in the church line.
The best part is that they are easy as cake to make–literally. So, if you’re a Chatty Cathy, and you miss a chance at a chess square, you can make some at home (and keep it all to yourself).
Let’s get down to business. Oh, and if you do decide to make these happy little chess bars for the potluck, be sure to print out and bring the recipe with you. Everyone will want a copy. I’ve had strangers approach me at potlucks, just to get the recipe. It’s that good.
Recipe and printable instructions listed below
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, mix 1 stick of melted butter, 1 egg, and cake mix.
Press it into the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ greased pan.
Step 2: In another medium-sized bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, eggs, and powdered sugar.
Be sure not to eat too much of it before you pour it into the pan. Yes, this could happen. I would never do such a thing, but it could happen. Ahem…excuse me.
Step 3: Pour the powdered sugar mixture on top of the cake mixture. Cook for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Let the chess squares cool. That’s the hard part. I need a lock on my silverware drawer because I will grab a fork faster than you can blink, and start digging in.
I waited long enough to get a picture for you, without fork marks. It wasn’t easy.
A Southern Girl's Chess Squares

Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 3 eggs
- 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 1 stick butter (melted)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300-degrees.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg.
- Press into the bottom of a greased 9" x 13" pan.
- In another medium-sized bowl, mix 2 eggs, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
- Pour over the cake mix.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Cool before cutting the squares.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 296 Total Fat: 12.2g Saturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 49.7mg Sodium: 247.7mg Carbohydrates: 44.7g Fiber: 0.2g Sugar: 35g Protein: 2.89g
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Waseem says
Don’t u think 4cups of powdered suger will make it too sweet?I wanted to make it but I think it is too much suger.Pl answer me…Thnx
Julie Pollitt says
Hi Waseem, it’s a very sweet dessert, by nature. You can try it with 3 cups of powdered sugar, or add about 4 ounces more of the cream cheese, and that might make it a little less sweet, but I’m not sure how it will turn out. If you decide to try it, let me know how it turns out. I’d love to know. But, I think either way, I do think it will be pretty sweet.