Easy Chess Squares Recipe
This Southern chess squares recipe is a great homemade dessert for any occasion, including holidays. It is quick and easy to make and will serve a large crowd. Set aside that cookbook and give these gooey treats a try.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 20 servings
Preparation Level: Beginner +
The chess squares, a.k.a. chess bars or chess cake, are an easy recipe to make from scratch that all of your friends and family will love. The gooey butter cake with a cream cheese mixture top is super easy to make.
The cream cheese squares are perfect for parties, Christmas, or any time of year. The dessert, made with cake mix, plenty of butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and eggs, will become one of your absolute favorites.
Time To Eat Our Favorite Dessert
If y’all 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. Second—and most importantly—the dessert table will be covered with treats. Southerners love to bake—a lot. And this dessert is a Southern thing.
We traveled back to Tennessee last Thanksgiving and went to the church my grandparents attended when they were still alive. We got lucky enough to attend a potluck after, and let me tell you, the Southern food was out of this world good. And that dessert table. Mmm… I’m pretty sure chess squares are almost 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.
Chess Squares Ingredients
- Yellow cake mix
- Eggs
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Butter (melted)
- Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
A full printable recipe with measurements and instructions is listed below on the recipe card.
A Classic And Simple Dessert
I have always loved these easy chess squares with cake mix. I love them so much that 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 bottom is made out of a box of yellow cake mix, one egg, and melted butter–you can’t go wrong. The inside is gooey and rich, and the top has a bit of a crunch. And, if you’re like me and you love the corners on brownies, you will love these chewy corners.
The best part is that they are as 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).
Ok, let’s get down to business.
Oh, and if you decide to make this happy little chess squares recipe (or chess bars recipe, as some call it) for the potluck, be sure to print it 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 because it’s that good.
How To Make The Dessert Recipe
Bottom Cake Layer
Mix one stick of melted butter, one egg, and cake mix in a medium-sized bowl.
You can make more than one type of chess squares, as well. Just about any type of cake mix will do.
In the fall, give these spice cake pecan chess squares a try.
Press it into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Trust me, it’s going to be tough not to reach into the oven with a fork and start eating because it will make your kitchen smell amazing.
Gooey Top Layer
In another medium-sized bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, eggs, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.
Pour the powdered sugar mixture on top of the cake mixture. Cook for 40 to 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
See how the top is a light golden brown? That’s what you’re aiming for. It will have a bit of a crackly top.
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.
Tips for Perfect Chess Squares
Creating the perfect Chess Squares doesn’t just rely on following the recipe – a few tips and tricks can make all the difference. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your Chess Squares turn out perfectly every time:
- Use room-temperature eggs: When your eggs are at room temperature, they will be incorporated more easily into the batter. You will end up with a smoother texture.
- Don’t over-mix the batter: I’ve done this plenty of times, and it leads to tough and dense squares. Just mix until everything is combined.
- Let the squares cool completely: Let the chess squares cool completely before cutting. They will set up better and have cleaner cuts. This is the hard part because I want to eat them so badly when they come out of the oven. The struggle is real.
- Try different toppings: While the classic Chess Squares are delicious on their own, you can get creative with toppings like Cool Whip, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Store the chess squares properly: If you have any leftovers, put them in an airtight container and keep them refrigerated.
More Delicious Desserts
If you love this chess squares recipe, try lemon chess squares or something a little different, like chocolate caramel poke cake.
If you are taking this to a potluck or party, make sure you make it several hours ahead of time so it can cool down and set up a little. It will cut a lot easier that way.
I’ve had quite a few requests for chess squares without cake mix, and I made a recipe for them with ladyfingers. The recipe tastes just as fantastic, and it’s also just as easy to make because you simply set the ladyfingers in the dish rather than use the dry cake mix.
How To Store The Chess Squares
Store the chess squares in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap. The chess squares need to be refrigerated because of the cream cheese.
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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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