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Southern chess bars

Old-Fashioned Chess Bars (Ooey Gooey Butter Bars)

Easy five-ingredient chess bars with a buttery yellow cake mix crust, sweet cream cheese filling, and golden crackly top.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Crust
  • 1 box 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 large egg
  • Filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3½ cups powdered sugar

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Melt the butter and let it cool slightly.
  3. Combine yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a thick dough forms.
  4. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  5. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
  6. Add the remaining 2 eggs and powdered sugar, mixing until creamy.
  7. Pour filling over the crust and spread evenly.
  8. Bake for 30–40 minutes, checking frequently after 30 minutes.
  9. Remove when the edges are golden and the center is slightly soft but not liquid.
  10. Allow to cool completely and settle before slicing into squares.

Notes

The cake will puff during baking and deflate as it cools. This is normal. Don't overbake if you want a soft, gooey center.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.