Chess Squares (Chess Bars)

Name: Chess Squares
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces); 3 large eggs, divided; 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted; 4 cups (1 lb) powdered sugar (less if you want it to be less sweet); 8 ounce cream cheese, softened

Published: Aug 5, 2024 · Modified: Aug 20, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

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These delicious Chess Squares are a Southern Staple made using 5 basic ingredients including boxed cake mix, cream cheese, butter, eggs, and sugar. So gooey and delicious!

If you're craving even more tasty Southern-style dessert recipes, then try making a rich and classic Homemade Sour Cream Pound Cake or a nutty and sweet Pecan Pie Recipe.

Overhead view of finished and cut chess squares on parchment paper on marble surface.

Allow me to introduce you to chess squares also known as chess bars and sometimes gooey butter cake (ooey gooey cake).

This is a simple, no-fuss dessert recipe that comes together quickly with a bit of assistance from a few items that you can easily purchase at any grocery store. This recipe is basically mistake-proof and produces the most delicious, moist, gooey, and chewy squares that you’ve ever had.

The first time I was introduced to this recipe was at a church function and it's a classic southern staple that has made an appearance in many places simply because it's so sweet and delicious. Trust me, you do not want to pass this recipe by.

Let's get started!

Ingredients You'll Need

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make squares in separate containers on marble surface.

Yellow Cake Mix - Use any 15.25 ounce size boxed brand of cake mix that you prefer to make the crust. Classic Yellow pairs well with the other ingredients in this recipe and keeps it classic, but you may also try using butter golden or French vanilla.
Eggs - You will need three large eggs to make these chess bars. One will be used to help bind the crust so that it sticks together. Two will be needed to make the filling/topping thick, and creamy, and give it that beautiful yellow color. Try to remove the eggs before getting started to allow them to come to room temperature for better mixing results.
Cream Cheese - Use regular full-fat cream cheese to make the filling/topping of the squares creamy and pair well with the sugar. Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before mixing to make the process easier.
Butter - Makes the filling buttery and adds rich decadent flavor. Melt the butter for a few minutes on top of the stove in a small saucepan or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave for about 10 to 30 seconds.
Powdered Sugar - Also known as confectioners sugar. Sweetens the filling and helps to thicken it.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

Recipe Variations

Chopped Pecans - Add ¾ cup of finely chopped pecans to the filling mixture for a bit of crunch and a nice layer of nutty texture and flavor.
Lemon Chess Squares - Substitute lemon-flavored cake mix and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the filling mixture.
Chocolate Crust - Try making a chocolate crust by using a chocolate cake mix instead.

How to Make Chess Squares

The gooey cake recipe begins by preheating the oven to 300 degrees F. and spraying a 9x13-inch (or an 11x11-inch as shown in the photos) baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.

Begin preparing the crust first by using a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer to mix the cake mix, melted butter, and one egg until it forms a soft dough. The dough will stick together onto itself and will be tacky. Place into the prepared baking dish and evenly press it into the bottom of the baking pan using clean hands.

Soft dough for bars pressed into the bottom of a square white baking dish.

Using the same stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, and two remaining eggs to make the cream cheese mixture. Mix the ingredients until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Ingredients to make chess bar filling combined in large glass mixing bowl with spatula in it.

Pour on top of the prepared crust into the prepared baking dish.

Overhead view of filling added to the crust in the white baking dish.

Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake at 300 degrees F. for about 40 to 50 minutes or until the top is puffy and lightly golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!

Overhead view of baked squares in white baking dish on marble surface.

Chess Bars Recipe Tips & Tricks

Melt the butter and allow it to come to room temperature before using it in the recipe.
Allow the cream cheese and eggs to come to room temperature before beginning the recipe for easier mixing.
Make the crust and filling mixture with a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer to make the process easier.
Allow the chess squares to cool completely before cutting.

Cutting Your Chess Bars

Allow your chess bars to fully cool to room temperature before cutting. Trust me, I know it's hard but they will be easier to cut into squares. If you cut them while they're still warm, then you will end up with messy chess bars instead.

You will need a sharp knife, I love using a chef's knife because it's big enough to handle the job.

If using parchment paper, which I highly recommend. Pull the chess bars from the pan using the edges of the parchment paper and place them on a cutting board.

Cut in 4 long strips (about 1 ½ inches apart) vertically and then 4 long strips (again 1 ½ inches apart) horizontally. To get the perfect chess squares, run the knife underneath warm water to clean it after making each cut.

Close up side view of cut bars on parchment paper on top of marble surface.

Storage Tips

Storage. If you have any leftovers, you may store them in an airtight container or plastic storage bag inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving.

Freezing. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Cut into squares and place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag before placing in the freezer.

Overhead view of single chess square on white plate with fork cutting into it.

Want More Dessert Recipes You'll Love? Try These:

Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Chess Squares Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Chess Squares

LaKita Anderson

These delicious Chess Squares are a Southern Staple made using 5 basic ingredients including boxed cake mix, cream cheese, butter, eggs, and sugar. So gooey and delicious!

4.91 from 30 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 349 kcal

Equipment

1 large mixing bowl
1 9x13-inch rectangle baking dish or 11x11-inch square baking dish (as shown)

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
3 large eggs, divided
½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted
4 cups (1 lb) powdered sugar (less if you want it to be less sweet)
8 ounce cream cheese, softened

Instructions

The recipe begins by preheating the oven to 300 degrees F. and spraying a 9x13-inch (or an 11x11-inch as shown in the photos) baking dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
Begin preparing the crust first by using a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer to mix together the 15.25 ounce box of cake mix, ½ cup melted butter, and 1 large egg until it forms a soft dough.
The dough will stick together onto itself and will be tacky. Place into the prepared baking dish and evenly press it into the bottom of the baking pan using clean hands.
Using the same stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl, add the 4 cups powdered sugar, 8 ounces softened cream cheese, and 2 remaining large eggs to make the cream cheese mixture. Mix the ingredients until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour on top of the prepared crust into the prepared baking dish.
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake at 300 degrees F. for about 40 to 50 minutes or until the top is puffy and lightly golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!
Store them in an airtight container or plastic storage bag inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Video

Notes

Melt the butter and allow it to come to room temperature before using it in the recipe.
Allow the cream cheese and eggs to come to room temperature before beginning the recipe for easier mixing.
Make the crust and filling mixture with a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand mixer to make the process easier.
Allow the chess squares to cool completely before cutting.

Nutrition

Calories: 349kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 339mgPotassium: 49mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 418IUCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg

*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Keyword chess bars, chess squares

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Original post date 01/20/2015. Updated 10/27/2022 and 08/05/2024.