I was a child when I first tasted Chess Cake at a church decoration or other such get-together. Granny never made the cake that I can remember, but it was almost always in the dessert section of any potluck type meal I ate at and I always made sure to get a square…or two.
Once I was married with two little ones Chess Cake became my go to dessert to make and take. It’s easy and quick to fix; I usually have all the ingredients on hand; it travels well; and everyone loves it.
Chess Cake
- 1 box yellow or white cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup butter – melted
- 1 pack of cream cheese – softened (8 oz.)
- 3 eggs
- 1 box of powdered sugar (16 oz.)
Combine cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter. Pat mixture into a 13 x 9 ungreased baking pan.
Mix cream cheese, 3 eggs, and sugar thoroughly and pour over unbaked cake layer.
Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool and then cut into squares.
Print Chess Cake (right clink to open link and print recipe)
Chess Cake is still my favorite dessert to make and take and it will always bring back fond memories of my church buddies and I running to the dessert table to see who could get a square first. Have you ever tried it?
Tipper
36 Comments
Catherine B
July 17, 2021 at 5:20 pmMade this twice and it was delicious! Got one baking using a chocolate cake. It smells amazing! I’m going to sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips on after it comes out! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Deborah Michelle Solesbee
July 3, 2021 at 12:51 pmHow can I make this without using egg whites? Yolks are ok but we are allergic to whites.
Tipper
July 4, 2021 at 6:43 amDeborah-I’ve never tried it with only the yolks, but I think it would work 🙂
Nyla Munk
July 7, 2021 at 12:22 amSubstitute Aquafaba , an egg white substitute, for the real egg whites.
Annette Jones
June 22, 2021 at 1:39 pmThis sounds amazing and I can’t wait to give it a go and take some time my 83 year old Mother-in-law. She will love it! Yeah!
Tim Swain
June 21, 2021 at 4:20 amBut wait. Three eggs or four?
Tim Swain
June 21, 2021 at 4:23 amNever mind. I see.
Missy
June 20, 2021 at 5:36 pmI made this recipe this morning, to take to my mother’s memory care home. Every Sunday a few of us “kids” bring our moms food from the outside and we all share a few hours enjoying this “family” that we’ve cobbled together. It was VERY well received. Thanks so much for sharing this easy recipe. And yes, it is very reminiscent of the Gooey Butter Cake I was introduced to in St. Louis. I’d be shocked if it’s not the same. Absolutely decadent, too!
Tipper
June 20, 2021 at 6:31 pmMissy-So glad it was a hit!
Jean
June 14, 2021 at 5:39 pmI’ve had gooey butter cake.Anyone with the recipe please.
Also bakery butter cake,has gooey top never
becomes hard.
Duck
June 9, 2021 at 4:49 amMy Granny used to make this! I never knew what she called it or how she made it. Nobody had the recipe after she passed. Thank you so much!
Michelle
June 10, 2021 at 5:27 pmI made this yesterday ! Let me tell you, it was a hit! I made from scratch cuz I’m celiac and eat gluten free and it was amazing! I am a Southern California gal born and raised but love and respect the Appalachian people and culture. My mom is Texan but I love the great people across our great nation that make us a truly unique and amazing country. I’ll be trying more of your delicious recipes. God bless yo you and yours. Michelle
Granny
June 13, 2021 at 3:12 pmI’m a Texan, and we call this Nieman-Marcus cake here! And I believe it is similar to what Paula Deen calls Gooey Butter Cake.
Amy
June 8, 2021 at 6:00 amIm wondering if anyone has tried using strawberry or lemon cake mix as the base? Im gonna see how it goes!
Anna
June 8, 2021 at 5:21 pmOooh that sounds so good, I think I am going to try that!!!!
Lori
June 5, 2021 at 9:07 amThis looks yummy! Would you share the name of the cookbook you referenced once again please? I love local church/organization cookbooks and can find them through my local library once in awhile. Thanks so much, Lori
Tipper
June 7, 2021 at 12:47 pmLori-the name of the cookbook is Martins Creek School. It’s been about 20 years since they published it for a fundraising event so I’m not sure you can still find it 🙂
Osage Bluff Quilter
June 2, 2021 at 11:39 pmI have never had Chess cake. But now it’s something I want to try now.
Peggy Hicks
June 2, 2021 at 5:39 pmThis is very reminiscent of gooey butter cake!!!
Magdalene Mwangi
July 1, 2017 at 9:19 amDelicious, thanks for sharing
Sheila Bergeron
September 5, 2016 at 3:57 pmNext dinner on the ground that’s what I’ll bring.
Kerry in GA
January 13, 2016 at 10:01 amWhen my Granny worked at Levi’s years & years ago, she got this recipe from a lady named Ida Jacobs. To this day we still call it “Ida Jacobs cake”. 🙂 The top batter is easy to dress up. I add a can of pumpkin to it sometimes or just chocolate chips. My cousin makes the bottom batter with a red velvet or chocolate cake mix at times. Any way you fix it, it always turns out good.
Suzi Phillips
January 11, 2016 at 8:14 pmMy mother’s specialty!!! Chess pie is good too-
Rev. Rose Marie "RB" Redmond
January 11, 2016 at 8:08 pmIt looks like what we call Chess Pie. I wonder if they’re the same thing.
Never had any, but am going to have to look for a diabetic version cause you had me sold at “cream cheese”. I love it and put it in so many things, especially cream soups and potato dishes, for extra richness.
God bless.
RB
<><
B.Ruth
January 11, 2016 at 4:57 pmI don’t know how much easier this could be….Unless one just walked into the bakery and bought one… ha
I guess the Chess Cake name came from the same as the Chess Pie? Problem, I am not sure how the Chess Pie got it’s name for certain either…do you know? I vaguely remember something about a Chess Pie being named from storage in a pie chest or pie safe? The pieces do not look anything like Chess pieces…However, I have a device (vintage metal rings) that when cake batter is poured into them and baked and then put together, the cake looks like a checkerboard when sliced! Ah-ha!
I would love to know for sure the origin of the name Chess Cake and Chess Pie….when you find it let me know!
In the meantime, I think I will make a Chess Cake….and store it in the husband’s and my belly! ha
Now then, “Belly Cake” I could understand that name!
My Mom used to make a cake/bar recipe we kids called “Belly-ache Cake”! It was full of coconut, dates, nuts. It was very rich and we were not used to eating such and it always caused a belly-ache! Hence, the nickname of the cake! We learned only to eat the small piece given us and not to slip into the cake tin for more! ha
Thanks Tipper,
PS…..What is that I hear, a giggle, from the Casada boys…tsk, tsk, ts
Ken Roper
January 11, 2016 at 1:27 pmTipper,
I’ve never tried the homeade kind like you share, but I love cheesecake. I cheat and buy the storebought kind and use the pouch of cherries on top. Anyway, I buy those Graham Cracker Crusts by Keebler already made, since I love Graham
Crackers. Every once in a while, I use the Strawberry pouch as a topping.
I always wondered why they call it “cake”, seems more like a pie to me…Ken
Ed
January 11, 2016 at 12:08 pmI used to work for a bunch of women (I was the supervisor). They all liked to cook and bring the results to work. Since I had to try to be fair and unbiased, I had to sample everything. I had to force myself to like it and tell them how much 😉 I think I ate chess cake many times without knowing the name. I thought it was good but never really got to enjoy it knowing I had to eat 12 to 15 other dishes before the party was over.
Your recipe looks simple enough. I’ve a mind to give it a try but right now I don’t have the cream cheese or enough eggs.
Wanda Devers
January 11, 2016 at 12:01 pmThis is soooo good–especially the edge pieces. There must be a lot of variations on it. My sister-in-law makes it with pineapple and it is good too but I like the original best. We’ve still got a little snow here in Middle Tn. and cold!
I found a site I am just loving–Appalachian Bear Rescue. They get the little abandoned or orphaned black bear cubs & treat & release in spring. This yr was a bad one–the babies are way underweight. The last one they got, Snowflake Bear, just weighed 8 and a half pounds when she should have weighted over 50. Check it out if you have time, they are so cute and such a great effort!
Jeanne
January 11, 2016 at 11:40 amThis is new to me, but sounds like a keeper. Will try, as it is always nice to have a “go to” when you quickly need something to bring. Many occasions around here to bring a “sweet” and something not chocolate as chocolate is usually over done.
SuzyJ
January 11, 2016 at 9:50 amI have made a chess pie, but never heard of the cake. I will be making this for our next bake sale! As always, thank you for all you do 🙂
dolores
January 11, 2016 at 9:35 amOh, yes! This is a definite yummy try! Thanks!
Shirl
January 11, 2016 at 9:05 amI have never made Chess Cake. That sounds so much easier than the recipe I use to make Chess Pie. How many calories per serving? Never mind. If you tell me I will never make it.
Ann Applegarth
January 11, 2016 at 8:18 amYum! And SO quick and easy. I’m going to make it for a funeral
dinner this week! Thanks, Tipper
Tipper
January 11, 2016 at 8:12 amDonna – Thank you for the comment! Never tried the recipe with pecans and coconut but I’m going to give it a try : )
Miss Cindy
January 11, 2016 at 7:26 amYes, I’ve eaten that and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve never made it though and had no idea it was so simple.
Donna Wilson King
January 11, 2016 at 6:48 amI made one yesterday before I read your post. Super easy. I tried a slightly different recipe that I found. After you pat the crust down, sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on it followed by 1 cup coconut. Then, pour the filling on. Yummy!