This recipe for Chess Squares is a classic southern dessert made with only 5 ingredients. Get a rich, buttery cake crust with a sweet, thick cream cheese topping - a knockout combo!
💛 Why You're Going to Love Chess Bars
- It's a classic. I've been enjoying this recipe my whole life! This recipe for chess squares is a southern staple that has really stood the test of time.
- It's easy. With just 5 ingredients, you can whip up a potluck favorite.
- It has a great texture combo. You're going to get a rich, buttery cake layer with a light, sweet cream cheese layer in each bite.
🧈 Ingredients
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix - This is equal to a standard box of cake mix.
- 3 large eggs - We'll use these in both the cake layer and the cream cheese layer.
- ½ cup salted butter - I recommend melting this before using it in this recipe; it not only makes the cake mix easier to stir but helps make the finished product flat and buttery (which you want!).
- 8 oz cream cheese - This should be room temperature when you're ready to mix.
- 3 cups powdered sugar - Go with powdered sugar over white granulated sugar; powdered sugar will give the cream cheese layer a smooth, non-grainy finish.
Additions & Substitutions
This is a really easy recipe to make your own! Here are a few ways you can mix it up:
- Use any flavor of cake mix you'd like. These bars are great with chocolate, strawberry, or lemon cake mix.
- Mix add-ins into the cream cheese layer. You can add ½ cup of chocolate chips, toffee bits, pecans, or even a light sprinkle of sea salt over the top if you like a salty/sweet combo.
Find more Southern-inspired recipes - check out this Creamy Pecan Pie Dip, or my Southern Sweet Potato Casserole!
🥣 How to Make Chess Squares
- MAKE CAKE LAYER. In a large bowl, combine 1 box of cake mix, 1 egg, and ½ cup of melted butter. The mixture will be thick but easy to spread. Press mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13" glass dish.
- MAKE CREAM CHEESE LAYER. In a separate bowl, blend 8 oz of cream cheese, 2 eggs, and powdered sugar until smooth. Pour this mixture over the cake layer in the pan.
- BAKE at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until the top starts to turn golden brown.
🎥 Step-by-Step Recipe Video
🥡 Leftovers & Storage
STORAGE: Because of the cream cheese, I recommend storing these in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They're best when enjoyed within 3-4 days of baking.
REHEATING: You can either pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or cook them in an air fryer on reheat mode for 2-3 minutes. They're also great cold!
FREEZING: These freeze well! Bake, cut into squares, and freeze in a gallon-sized ziplock bag. Thaw them in the refrigerator when you're ready to serve them again.
💡 Useful Tips & Tricks
- TO SLICE: Make sure the bars cool completely before slicing. It helps to use a sharp knife that's been dipped in hot water before slicing. If the knife gets dirty as you slice, make sure to clean it off before moving on.
- Make sure you don't overmix when combining the ingredients for the cake layer. This can result in tough, over-chewy bars.
- I like to use a 7x11" glass baking dish to make these chess squares. If you want thinner bars, use a 9x13" baking dish instead.
Hope you love this Southern favorite! If you give it a try, I'd love for you to rate ⭐️ and review 💬 the recipe in the comments below.
Chess Squares
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Ingredients
- 15.25 oz yellow cake mix (1 box)
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick, melted)
- 8 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix together 1 box of cake mix, 1 egg, and ½ cup of melted butter. Mix will be thick but spreadable. Spread in the bottom of a greased 9x13" glass dish.
- In another bowl, blend 8oz of cream cheese, 2 eggs, and powdered sugar until mixture is smooth. Pour this on top of the cake mix combo in the baking pan.
- Bake at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until top starts to brown.
Notes
-
- TO SLICE: Make sure the bars cool completely before slicing. It helps to use a sharp knife that's been dipped in hot water before slicing. If the knife gets dirty as you slice, make sure to clean it off before moving on.
- Make sure you don't overmix when combining the ingredients for the cake layer. This can result in tough, over-chewy bars.
- I like to use a 7x11" glass baking dish to make these chess squares. If you want thinner bars, use a 9x13" baking dish instead.
Nutrition Facts
Leslie Lambert is a lifestyle writer and content creator specializing in home organization, family recipes, and intentional living. With 16 years of experience in blogging and digital storytelling, she helps busy women create calm, purposeful homes they love.
