Sandra This Paula Deen Chess Squares Recipe is an easy and buttery recipe, which is made with yellow cake mix and cream cheese. It’s the perfect Southern dessert, ready in about 55 minutes.
Paula Deen Chess Squares Recipe Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 3 large eggs, divided
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups (1 lb) powdered sugar
How To Make Paula Deen Chess Squares
- Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Generously spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and one egg. Mix with a spoon or spatula until a soft dough forms. Press this dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to create the crust.
- Make the Filling: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the remaining two eggs and beat again until combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the crust in the pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is mostly set (it may still have a very slight jiggle).
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let the chess squares cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get clean slices? For the cleanest cuts, it is essential that the chess squares are completely cool. Chilling them in the refrigerator for at least an hour before slicing also helps. Use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean between each cut.
- How do I know when the chess squares are done? The edges will be set and golden brown, and the center should be mostly set but may still look slightly soft. It will firm up as it cools.
- How do I prevent a lumpy filling? Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature before you start mixing. This will allow it to beat into a smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps.
- Can I use a different flavor of cake mix? Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic, you could experiment with a butter pecan, lemon, or even a spice cake mix for a different flavor twist.
What To Serve With Chess Squares
These rich and sweet bars are perfect on their own but also pair wonderfully with:
- A hot cup of coffee or tea.
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the sweetness.
- A side of fresh berries, like raspberries or strawberries.
How To Store Chess Squares
Store: Because of the cream cheese filling, chess squares should be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container, with parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them. They will keep for up to 5 days.
Chess Squares Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~350 kcal per square
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Sugar: 40g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Chess squares, also known as chess bars or gooey butter cake, are a classic Southern dessert. They consist of a buttery cake mix crust and a rich, gooey filling made from cream cheese and powdered sugar.
The exact origin of the name is uncertain. One theory is that it’s a variation of “cheese cake,” referring to the cream cheese filling. Another theory suggests that the dessert was so rich in sugar that it could be stored in a “pie chest” without refrigeration, and the name evolved from “chest” to “chess.”
Yes, you could stir in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or shredded coconut to the cream cheese filling before pouring it over the crust for extra flavor and texture.
Try More Recipes:
- Paula Deen Buttermilk Pie Recipe
- Paula Deen Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe
- Paula Deen Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding Recipe
Paula Deen Chess Squares Recipe
Description
A simple and decadent Southern dessert bar with a flaky, buttery cake mix crust and a rich, gooey cream cheese filling that’s baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F and grease a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg together to form a dough. Press this into the bottom of the pan.
- Beat the softened cream cheese, the remaining 2 eggs, and the powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Pour the cream cheese filling over the crust.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes until the top is golden brown.
- Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature to avoid a lumpy filling.
- For the cleanest slices, cool the bars completely and chill them in the refrigerator for an hour before cutting.
- You can use a different flavor of cake mix, like lemon or butter pecan, for a fun variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
