This is a recipe of indistinct origin that everyone I know has made at some time or another. I’m not sure if that’s a Southern thing or not. Regardless of that, this is one of those handy fall-back recipes when you want something with a high taste to effort ratio.
To make the crust, combine a package of yellow cake mix, 1 cup of melted butter, and 1 egg. When this is combined, add 1 cup of chopped pecans. Press the mixture into a 9″x13″ pan.
Beat 16 ounces of softened cream cheese and a 1-pound box of confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Add two eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Pour this mixture over the crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.
These bars are so easy and so good. The crust is very thick - essentially as thick as the sweet, cream cheese-y filling - and very buttery. It all adds up to some incredible gooey goodness. Be sure to secure one for yourself, though, because they disappear very quickly.
9 responses so far ↓
1 Nan // Aug 8, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Maybe I’m not totally objective since the baker is my sister; but, ….these are WONDERFUL!! Always good and always a hit with everyone.
2 Bake or Break » Mix Review: Williams Sonoma Chocolate Truffle Bread Mix // Aug 15, 2006 at 10:03 pm
[...] Just as Alton says he’s suspicious of anything that comes in a kit, I am likewise suspicious of baking mixes. Sure, I’ll use a cake mix as the basis of a cake or some other creation. But, on their own… well, I just don’t feel comfortable using them. I really don’t have any empirical evidence that there is anything wrong with baking mixes. I know lots of people who use them and go on to live happy, satisfied lives. In an effort to broaden my horizons, I have decided to try out some mixes. [...]
3 Mindy // Jul 6, 2007 at 3:43 pm
I’ve made this cake with a little bit different of a recipe but it was absolutely GREAT!! I’m hooked on it! I’m sure I’ll be baking it regularly!!!!
4 dee // Oct 8, 2007 at 7:27 pm
on the chess bars is it white or brown sugar
5 jennifer // Oct 8, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Dee, it’s confectioner’s sugar.
6 Chocolate Chess Squares // Dec 7, 2007 at 3:44 pm
[...] shared the traditional recipe for these bars with you when BoB was just a baby. That recipe uses a yellow cake mix and really [...]
7 Corn Flake Bars // Dec 15, 2007 at 10:36 pm
[...] like chess squares, this recipe is one of those that sneaks its way into everyone’s recipe box, yet no one [...]
8 Bitsy's Cousin Teresa // Jun 6, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Jennifer - I have now made the Chocolate
Chess Bars a half dozen times. My friends and I up here in God’s Country (Minnesota) had never heard of them, but they are now a permanent part of our recipe collections. Thanks so much.
9 jennifer // Jun 6, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Teresa, I’m glad you like them! Definitely one of my favorites.
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