Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars

These Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars are like a gooey butter cake on steroids. The rich fudgy result of combining red velvet with additional chocolate results in a decadent all occasion dessert that's unforgettable.

Easy Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars Recipe

Red velvet cake is almost like a religion in the South. It's a dessert that's revered far and wide and there are no shortage of tasty variations of red velvet to tantalize your taste buds. Everywhere. Chess bars a.k.a. gooey butter cakes, are also a time held traditional favorite and so easy  to make. They differ from the original gooey butter cake which hails from St Louis MO, in that they begin with a dry cake mix.  By adding chocolate to the filling it takes the flavor over the top. If you're curious about the original gooey butter cake, see a made-from-scratch gooey butter cake recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch.

How to Make the Best Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars Recipe

The chocolate filing of these chess bars not only gives them an interesting two-tone look, but the addition enhances the chocolate flavor. They are so tasty to be so very simple to make. In fact, with a little help these would be a great recipe for the kiddos or a beginner baker. They're rich and decadent and meant for sharing with the special people in your life.

• Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars: One box of red velvet cake mix, 1 cup (2 sticks) of melted butter, one block plain cream cheese, large eggs, powdered sugar and chopped semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate.
• Kitchen gadgets you'll need: Mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, you'll need a mixer either a stand mixer or a hand mixer, a 13 x 9 inch baking pan and an offset spatula or spoon to spread the mixture into the pan.
• To make chess bars keep in mind that the ingredients are layered. There's one cup of butter or two sticks, total in this recipe. They're used for different layers so it's best to melt them separately to ensure the proper amount is used in each one.
• There's no need to use a clean bowl or clean the beaters of the mixer between beating ingredients for the layers together. It all bakes into one gooey butter cake chess bar extravaganza anyway.
• The biggest mistake you can make with chess bars is to overbake them. Chess bars and gooey butter cakes are just that, they're meant to be a little gooey in the middle. To check for doneness,  gently shake the pan. If the filling still has a little jiggle and movement you're good to go.
• Store leftover double chocolate red velvet chess bars chilled in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

More Southern Style Desserts to Make

There's always room for dessert whether you're enjoying a casual meal with the family or entertaining friends. More decadent dessert recipes you may like to try:

• Island inspired Pineapple Coconut Chess Bars.
• Caramel Chocolate Almond Gooey Butter Cake features a dulce de leche filling.
• Strawberries and Cream Gooey Butter Cake is a stunning dessert to make.
• Citrus infused Lemon Chiffon Chess Bars recipe.
• You may also like these Gingerbread Chess Bars for your holiday sweets.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Rectangular Baking Dish
• Stand Mixer
• Cut and Serve Spatula
• Dessert Plates

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5 from 2 votes

Double Chocolate Red Velvet Chess Bars

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Cooling time2 hrs

Total Time3 hrs 5 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate-cake-recipes, double-chocolate-red-velvet-chess-bars, red-velvet-desserts

Servings: 24 bars

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 15.25 oz box red velvet cake
• ½ cup butter melted
• 1 large egg
• Filling:
• 1 8 oz block cream cheese softened
• 1 16 oz box powdered sugar
• ½ cup butter melted
• 3 large eggs
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate chopped, melted and cooled slightly
• whipped cream for serving optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Liberally spray a 13 x 9-inch non stick metal baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the cake mix, ½ cup melted butter and 1 large egg. Beat until fully moistened. Press into the bottom of the pan.
• In the same mixing bowl whip together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and melted butter until creamy
• Add the eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Add the melted chocolate to the creamed mixture. Beat for one minute or until fully combined.
• Pour the filling over the crust. Bake for 40-50 minutes until the center still moves when gently shaken.
• Cool on a baking rack in the pan. Store chilled.
• Serve chilled or bring to room temperature prior to serving topped with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

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