Description
Chess Squares are a delightful layered dessert featuring a buttery yellow cake base topped with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture, baked to a gooey, luscious perfection. Perfect for gatherings, this easy-to-make treat combines rich flavors and textures that satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake Layer
- 1 box Yellow cake mix
- 1 large Egg (room temperature)
- ½ cup Butter (melted)
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces Cream cheese (softened)
- 2 large Eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Butter (melted)
- 16 ounces Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the cake layer: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 egg, and ½ cup melted butter. Use an electric mixer to blend everything well until you get a crumbly, dough-like mixture.
- Press cake layer into pan: Transfer the cake mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to evenly press the mixture to cover the bottom of the pan completely.
- Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Then add the remaining 2 eggs, vanilla extract, and ½ cup melted butter. Mix until well combined.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture and continue beating until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the cream cheese topping: Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake batter in the pan, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. The center should remain slightly gooey to avoid overbaking and maintain that classic texture.
- Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the Chess Squares to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overbake to keep the center gooey and soft.
- Butter should be melted but not hot to prevent cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Room temperature eggs blend better into the mixture.
- You can chill the cream cheese layer before baking for better consistency, but it is optional.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
