Southern Chess Squares
Chess squares are kin to the southern favorite, chess pie. The cream cheese topping sits on a simple cake mix crust. It’s an easy dessert recipe that’s always a hit.
by Diana Rattray
These chess squares are always a hit! The squares are easy to fix with a cake mix, some cream cheese, eggs and butter, and powdered sugar. The squares are the perfect treat to take along to a potluck or bake sale. They’re always welcome at parties, whether there’s a special occasion or not. Or include them in lunch boxes for a kids’ snack or a coffee break.
Cooking Tip
To soften cream cheese quickly, remove the wrapping and set it on a microwave safe plate. Microwave on high for about 15 to 20 seconds. If it is still cold in the center, microwave for an additional 5 to 10 seconds.
Dicing it into smaller pieces can also hasten softening.
Southern Chess Squares
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 box yellow cake mix, or golden butter 15.25 ounces to 16.25 ounces
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
For the Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 16 ounces confectioners’ sugar, about 3 1/2 cups
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325 F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low, combine the cake mix with the beaten egg and the softened butter until the mixture begins to clump together.
- Press the crumb mixture into the pan, patting as evenly as possible.
Prepare the Filling
- In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add the confectioners’ sugar to the cream cheese and beat until blended. Beat the 3 remaining eggs and the vanilla to make a smooth batter.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crumb layer.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until set and lightly browned.
