As many of you can attest, I’ve been up to my elbows in cookie dough for several days. Taking a bit of a detour today, these squares pack a big sweet punch!
A classic Southern recipe, chess squares pop up all year round, not just for the holidays. Simple to make and wonderful to eat, they are a great way to make a sweet impact on a time budget. It’s not that often that I use a cake mix, but let me introduce you to a good argument for them.
I shared the traditional recipe for these bars with you when BoB was just a baby. That recipe uses a yellow cake mix and really emphasizes the flavor of the cream cheese. The chocolate version uses a chocolate cake mix and cuts back on the cream cheese. The result is reminiscent of a cream cheese brownie. Chocolate is the predominant flavor, with a thin layer of cream cheese and sugar on top.
Quinn is a big fan of the chocolate version of these. I can’t really say that I like one version of these better than the other. As easy as they are to make, though, you can whip up either or both.
Chocolate Chess Squares
These Chocolate Chess Squares combine chocolate and cream cheese in an irresistible dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Combine cake mix, 1 egg, butter, and pecans until dry ingredients are moistened. Press into a sprayed/greased 13″x9″x2″ pan.
- Combine cream cheese, 2 eggs, vanilla, and 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar. Beat until blended, then gradually add remaining confectioners’ sugar. Beat until smooth. Pour over chocolate layer and spread evenly.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares when cooled.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Southern Living.
8 Comments on “Chocolate Chess Squares”
Jennifer stop!!! I don’t know which one to try next!!! I made the cream cheese muffins the other day of a brunch and they were gone in no time flat! So good!
If my Southern husband sees these squares, I’ll have to make a detour of my own in my baking schedule. Yummm!!!
Sorry! I’ll be finished at some point, maybe January. I’m glad you liked the muffins. They’re one of my favorites.
try using strawberry cream cheese instead of regular they are delightful.
These squares have been a hit both at company potlucks and with family the past two holiday seasons. Thank you so much for sharing your love of cooking. If you’ll excuse me, I have to go stuff my face with a freshly made batch…taste test, of course.
can u use brownie as the bottom of chess squares or will it over cook before top layet is done?
Kendra, pre-baked brownies would most likely not be a good option. If you’re looking to make something similar using brownies, you might check out these Cheesecake Brownies.
Could you use a brownie mix, instead of a cake mix for the bottom layer?
Hi, April! I’ve not tried it, but I think it would work.