Chess Bars Recipe

This easy Chess Bars Recipe is one of those classic Southern desserts that never go out of style. With a buttery cake-like crust and a rich, creamy filling, they’re simple to make and always disappear fast. Whether you’re serving them at a potluck, holiday gathering, or just because you’re craving something sweet, these old-fashioned bars are guaranteed to be a hit.

Easy Chess Bars Recipe

Rich, buttery, and irresistibly soft in the center, these Southern Chess Bars, also known as Ooey Gooey Butter Bars, feature a tender cake-like crust topped with a luscious cream cheese filling that bakes into a delicate, lightly crisp top with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Sweet, decadent, and incredibly easy to make, these delicious dessert bars are perfect for potlucks, church suppers, family reunions, holiday dessert tables, bake sales, backyard cookouts, or anytime you’re craving an old-fashioned Southern treat. Whether you’re serving them as a sweet treat for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a casual weekend gathering, these crowd-pleasing bars are always one of the first desserts to disappear.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Chess Bars: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• Cake Mix – Chess squares begin with cake mix. One box of yellow cake mix forms the base of the bars.
• Butter – Melted butter for both the crust and the filling adds richness.
• Eggs – Whole eggs bind the crust and the gooey cream cheese filling.
• Cream Cheese – Plain cream cheese forms the base of the creamy filling.
• Sugar – Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar) for sweetness.
• Flavorings – Vanilla extract and almond extract amps up the overall taste and flavor.

How to Make Ooey Gooey Chess Bars Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f. Line one 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper leaving overhang. Spray parchment paper with cooking spray.
• Make the Crust – Use an electric mixer to combine cake mix, melted butter, and 2 eggs until a thick dough forms. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Make the Filling – In the same bowl, use the mixer to beat together cream cheese and melted butter until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla extract and almond extract until combined.
• Powdered Sugar – Gradually add the powdered sugar. Beat until all is incorporated, increasing the speed to medium at the end. Pour the filling over the crust and spread evenly.
• Oven – Bake in preheated oven per the baking time in the recipe just until the edges are set and the center is still slightly gooey when the pan is gently shaken.
• Cool – Let chess squares cool in the pan on a wire rack.
• Serve – Serve warm or chilled sliced into bars, dusted with powdered sugar, if desired.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Chess Bars

• 13×9-inch baking dish and parchment paper.
•  Large mixing bowl.
• Electric mixer. You can use stand mixer or a hand mixer.
• Offset icing spatula.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Wire rack.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Cake Mix – The beauty of gooey butter cakes is: the sky’s the limit for flavor variations. For this classic recipe, you may enjoy swapping out the yellow cake mix using butter cake mix or butter pecan are great variations.
• Cream Cheese – For chess bars it’s best to go for the gold and use full fat cream cheese. Bring it to room temperature to fully soften for the creamiest texture.
• Flavorings – You can use lemon extract in place of almond extract. Increase to 1/2 – 1 teaspoon.
• Don’t Overbake – Do not overbake to keep the center gooey.  Let bars cool before slicing for cleaner cuts.
• Mix-Ins – You can stir nuts or chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture to change the flavor profile and add texture.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store chess bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Serving – You can enjoy chilled or bring to room temperature for a softer texture.
• Freezer – These can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

More Easy Southern Desserts to Make

• Pretty as a picture Strawberries and Cream Gooey Butter Cake 
• Banana Pudding Gooey Butter Cake  is a fusion of two all-time favorites.
• Mocha Molten Lava Gooey Butter Cake is made using Nutella for the filling.
•  Caramel Chocolate Almond Gooey Butter Cake features dulce de leche in the filling.
• Orange Creamsicle Gooey Butter Cake is like a bite of sunshine.
• Island inspired Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars.
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars from Southern Living.

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