Chess Squares

User Reviews

5

2 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    15 mins

  • Cook Time

    35 mins

  • Additional Time

    2 hrs

  • Total Time

    2 hrs 50 mins

  • Servings

    16 squares

  • Calories

    343 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Chess Squares

These easy 5-ingredient chess squares are a classic Southern dessert!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 (15.25 ounce) yellow cake mix
  • 3 large egg divided
  • 1 tick butter melted, ½ cup
  • 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese softened at room temperature, block
  • 1 (16 ounce) confectioners’ sugar aka powdered sugar
  • confectioners’ sugar optional, for serving
  • Berry
  • Whipped Cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the dry cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter until a soft dough comes together.
  3. Press the mixture in an even layer in the prepared pan.
  4. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat together the cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs, and the confectioners’ sugar until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread in an even layer. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and set, but still a little bit “gooey” in the center.
  6. Cool in the pan, and then dust with additional powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
  7. Top with berries or whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

  • Recipe adapted from Best of the Best from the Mid-South cookbook.
  • Use a block of full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. Do not substitute with a tub of spreadable cream cheese.
  • Use a block of full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. Do not substitute with a tub of spreadable cream cheese.
  • Don't forget to soften the cream cheese before mixing it together with the other ingredients. The softened cream cheese blends more smoothly and easily into the filling mixture. Use room temperature eggs so that they incorporate more easily into the batter.
  • Don't forget to soften the cream cheese before mixing it together with the other ingredients. The softened cream cheese blends more smoothly and easily into the filling mixture.
  • Use room temperature eggs so that they incorporate more easily into the batter.
  • Add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling for even more flavor.
  • Add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling for even more flavor.
  • Line the baking dish with parchment paper overhang if you'd like to be able to easily lift the bars out of the pan before slicing.
  • Line the baking dish with parchment paper overhang if you'd like to be able to easily lift the bars out of the pan before slicing.
  • The baking time will vary, largely depending on the type of pan that you use. Here I showed a gold metal cake pan, but a glass or ceramic dish will also work well. Metal, dark, or nonstick pans require a shorter baking time. You want the top, center layer to still be soft while the crust on the bottom is firm. They will continue to firm up and set as they cool. Just be sure that you don't over-bake the bars or they won't have that great "gooey" texture.
  • The baking time will vary, largely depending on the type of pan that you use. Here I showed a gold metal cake pan, but a glass or ceramic dish will also work well. Metal, dark, or nonstick pans require a shorter baking time. You want the top, center layer to still be soft while the crust on the bottom is firm. They will continue to firm up and set as they cool. Just be sure that you don't over-bake the bars or they won't have that great "gooey" texture.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing. The cool bars are easier to cut into clean squares.

    Recipe adapted from Best of the Best from the Mid-South cookbook.

  • Allow the bars to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing. The cool bars are easier to cut into clean squares.
  • Recipe adapted from Best of the Best from the Mid-South cookbook.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1/16 of the cake Calories 343kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 56g (19%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 0.3g (15%) Cholesterol 64mg (21%) Sodium 339mg (14%) Potassium 49mg (1%) Fiber 0.4g (2%) Sugar 42g (84%) Vitamin A 418IU (8%) Calcium 89mg (9%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16squares

Amount Per Serving

Calories 343 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/16 of the cake
Calories 343kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 56g 19%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 64mg 21%
Sodium 339mg 14%
Potassium 49mg 1%
Fiber 0.4g 2%
Sugar 42g 84%
Vitamin A 418IU 8%
Calcium 89mg 9%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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