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.
More of BoB’s bars and squares:
- Chess Squares
- Irish Cream Brownies
- Fudgy Layer Squares
- Chocolate Caramel Brownies
- Double Delicious Cookie Bars
December 7th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
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!!!
December 9th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Sorry! I’ll be finished at some point, maybe January. I’m glad you liked the muffins. They’re one of my favorites.
April 1st, 2010 at 7:35 am
try using strawberry cream cheese instead of regular they are delightful.
November 17th, 2011 at 9:43 am
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.
November 30th, 2011 at 7:50 am
can u use brownie as the bottom of chess squares or will it over cook before top layet is done?
December 2nd, 2011 at 11:38 am
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.