Irresistible Strawberry Chess Squares: A Gooey, Fruity Delight

Prepare to fall in love with these easy-to-make **Strawberry Chess Squares**, a delightful and fruity twist on the beloved Southern classic. Combining the convenience of a strawberry cake mix with the freshness of ripe berries and a rich, creamy, custard-like topping, these dessert bars are a symphony of textures and flavors. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of soft, gooey sweetness, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe promises a simple process and spectacular results that will have everyone asking for more.

Closeup of a strawberry chess square on parchment paper next to whole strawberries, highlighting its gooey texture and vibrant color.

Understanding Strawberry Chess Squares

What Exactly Are Chess Squares?

Chess Squares are a quintessential Southern dessert bar, renowned for their distinctive two-layer structure: a buttery, often firm or chewy base, and a rich, incredibly sweet, custard-like cream cheese topping. They are cousins to several other beloved regional treats, sometimes known as Chess Cake, Neiman Marcus Bars, or, particularly in the Midwest around St. Louis, affectionately called Ooey Gooey Cake or Gooey Butter Cake. The “chess” in their name is believed to derive from “chest,” referring to a chest where desserts were traditionally stored, or perhaps from the notion that they’re so rich, you’d “jest” eat them.

This strawberry version takes all the beloved characteristics of the classic and infuses it with vibrant fruit flavor. We’re starting with a boxed cake mix for unparalleled convenience, ensuring a perfect base every time. For best results, we recommend a high-quality mix like **Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Strawberry Supreme**, which contributes to the squares’ tender texture and delightful strawberry essence.

Essential Tools and Preparation Tips

You’ll need **two mixing bowls** to prepare the separate layers of this delicious dessert.
An **electric hand mixer** or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment will make combining ingredients smooth and effortless, ensuring both layers achieve their ideal consistency.
Ensure your **cream cheese is softened to room temperature** before you begin. This is a crucial step for achieving a lump-free, silky-smooth cream cheese topping. Cold cream cheese will result in a clumpy mixture that won’t spread evenly.
Consider the quality of your ingredients. While a cake mix provides convenience, good quality butter, fresh eggs, and premium extracts will elevate the final taste significantly.

Crafting Your Strawberry Chess Squares: A Step-by-Step Guide

Begin by preheating your oven to **350°F (175°C)** and positioning an oven rack in the center. This ensures even baking. Lightly grease a **13×9-inch baking pan** with butter or nonstick cooking spray. A light coating is all that’s needed to prevent sticking and make for easy removal.

For even easier slicing and lifting the entire batch of bars out of the pan, create a parchment paper sling. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your pan, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides. This overhang acts as handles. First, lightly grease the pan, then lay the parchment paper in place, and lightly grease the parchment paper as well. This double greasing method ensures absolutely no sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make strawberry chess bars, neatly arranged in bowls on a white marble surface, ready for preparation.

Step 1: Create the Flavorful Strawberry Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the contents of your **strawberry cake mix** (15.25 ounces), ½ cup of melted unsalted **butter** (which should be slightly cooled), and 2 large **eggs**. Using either an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix these ingredients together just until they are smooth and well combined. Be careful not to over-mix the dough. Excessive mixing can over-whip the eggs and incorporate too much air, which might cause the base to rise too much during baking. The goal is a thick batter, closer in consistency to a soft cookie dough than a liquid cake batter.

Overhead view of strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and eggs in a glass bowl on a marble board, ready to be mixed for the base layer. — Base layer ingredients combined.

Mixed strawberry chess bar dough in a glass bowl on a white marble board, with stainless steel hand mixer beaters visible, showing the thick, smooth consistency. — Dough combined until smooth and thick.

Once the base dough is mixed, press it into an even layer at the bottom of your prepared 13×9-inch pan. The dough will be quite sticky, so to make this step easier, you can lightly moisten your hands with water or spritz them with a little cooking spray. A greased offset spatula can also work, but many bakers find that their hands are the most effective tool for achieving an evenly spread layer. Ensuring a uniform base is key to consistent baking.

Next, evenly sprinkle 1 cup of finely **diced strawberries** over the pressed dough. If your strawberries are particularly juicy, it’s a good idea to gently pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them. Excess moisture can affect the texture of the base, potentially making it soggy. Distribute them well so every square gets a burst of fresh strawberry flavor.

Strawberry chess bar dough pressed evenly into a white baking dish on a white marble board, forming the base layer. — Dough pressed into a baking pan.

Diced strawberries evenly sprinkled over the strawberry chess square dough in a white baking dish on a white marble board, ready for the next layer. — Dough sprinkled with diced strawberries.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Cheese Topping

In a separate mixing bowl, combine 8 ounces of softened brick-style **cream cheese** (Philadelphia brand is a popular choice for its consistent quality), 4 cups of **powdered sugar**, 1 teaspoon of pure **vanilla extract**, ½ to 1 teaspoon of **almond extract**, and the remaining 2 large **eggs**. Using your electric hand mixer, start on a low speed to incorporate the powdered sugar without creating a cloud, then gradually increase to medium speed. Beat the mixture until it is completely smooth, light, and creamy, with no lumps of cream cheese remaining. The consistency should be pourable yet substantial.

Overhead shot of cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and eggs in a glass bowl on a white marble surface, ready for mixing to create the topping. — Cream cheese layer ingredients before mixing.

Quick Tip for Softening Cream Cheese: For a perfectly smooth topping, your cream cheese *must* be at room temperature. If you forgot to take it out ahead of time, you can soften it quickly by unwrapping it and placing it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 10-15 seconds, just until soft to the touch but not melted. Alternatively, you can submerge the foil-wrapped blocks in warm water for about 10-15 minutes.

Carefully pour the creamy cheese mixture over the strawberry base in your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to gently spread the topping out evenly, making sure it reaches all corners of the pan. An even layer is important for consistent baking and ensures every square has that perfect ratio of base to topping.

Strawberry cream cheese topping being poured over the unbaked chess squares base in a white baking dish on a white marble board, showing its smooth texture. — Cream cheese layer poured over the base.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection and Slice with Care

Bake your Strawberry Chess Bars for **40 to 45 minutes**, or until the cream cheese layer turns a beautiful golden brown around the edges and is mostly set. This golden hue is a sign of delicious caramelization and doneness. However, the most important aspect of achieving that signature “ooey gooey” texture is to **avoid overbaking**. When you gently shake the pan, the center of the cream cheese layer should still have a slight, delicate jiggle, much like a perfectly set cheesecake. This indicates the bars are done but will retain their wonderfully moist and soft interior. The residual heat will continue to set the center as they cool.

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. This cooling period is critical for the squares to fully set and firm up, making them much easier to slice. For the cleanest, most precise squares, dip a sharp knife into warm water and wipe it dry between each cut. This technique helps prevent the sticky topping from clinging to the blade and dragging. Press straight down with the knife rather than using a sawing motion to achieve neat, even squares that look as good as they taste.

Overhead view of perfectly baked strawberry chess squares in a white baking dish on a white marble board, with a golden-brown topping. — Baked until golden and set.

Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips

Strawberry Chess Squares are wonderfully sweet and satisfying on their own, but a little garnish can elevate their presentation. Before serving, consider dusting the tops with a light sifting of **powdered sugar** for an elegant finish. For an even more indulgent treat, dollop each square with a spoonful of **lightly sweetened whipped cream** and top with a fresh sliced or whole strawberry. The tartness of the fresh berry provides a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the bar.

These bars are fantastic for a dessert buffet or a potluck gathering. Cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces for easy grabbing and serving. They pair beautifully with other classic sweets such as rich chocolate brownies, tangy lemon bars, various jam crumble bars, or even delicate no-bake cheesecake cups. The vibrant strawberry flavor also complements fresh fruit platters, making them a versatile addition to any spread.

Freshly baked strawberry chess squares arranged neatly on a pristine white marble surface, ready to be served.

Expert Tip: While these bars are delightful the day they are made, many find they taste even better the next day. This allows the various flavors to meld and deepen, enhancing the overall experience.

To keep your Strawberry Chess Squares fresh, store the completely cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to **5 days**. For the best flavor and texture, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This takes the chill off and allows the gooey texture to return to its prime.

A perfectly baked strawberry chess square on a white plate being cut into with a silver fork, revealing its soft, gooey layers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen strawberries?

While fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor and texture, you can use frozen diced strawberries in a pinch. However, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them very dry with paper towels to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Too much water content can make the base soggy.

Why is my cream cheese topping not gooey?

The most common reason for a non-gooey topping is overbaking. Remember to look for that slight jiggle in the center when you remove the bars from the oven. They will continue to set as they cool. Also, ensure your cream cheese was at room temperature and blended smoothly, as lumps can affect the texture.

Can I make these Strawberry Chess Squares ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are an excellent make-ahead dessert. As mentioned, they often taste even better the day after they are baked, once the flavors have had a chance to fully develop and mingle. Simply bake, cool completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before serving.

Explore More Strawberry Delights

If you’ve fallen in love with the vibrant flavor of strawberries in these chess squares, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delicious recipes featuring this beloved berry. From quick treats to more elaborate bakes, strawberries bring a burst of freshness and sweetness to countless dishes. Here are some other delightful strawberry-infused recipes to try:

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
Croissant French Toast Bake with Berries
Strawberry Balsamic Salsa
Strawberry Basil Soda

Strawberry chess squares on a white marble surface, showcasing their appealing golden-brown topping and gooey interior.

Strawberry Chess Squares Recipe

by
Amanda Biddle

These easy Strawberry Chess Squares are a gooey, sweet dessert made with cake mix, fresh berries, and a creamy custard-style topping—rich, soft, and full of flavor!

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
55 minutes

Servings:
12 squares

Ingredients

15.25 ounce strawberry boxed cake mix (such as Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Strawberry Supreme)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly (8 tablespoons)
4 large eggs, room temperature (divided)
8 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ to 1 teaspoon almond extract (see note below for preference)
4 cups powdered sugar (16 ounces, see note below for sweetness adjustment)
1 cup diced strawberries (about 5 ounces, see note below for juiciness)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack in the center. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking pan and set it aside (refer to the pan tip note below for alternatives).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and 2 eggs. Mix with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth—the mixture will be thick. Avoid over-beating.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Lightly moisten your hands or spray them with cooking spray to press the dough without sticking. Sprinkle the diced strawberries over the top.
In a separate bowl, add the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and almond extracts, and the remaining 2 eggs. Beat with a hand mixer on low speed, gradually increasing to medium speed, until smooth and fully combined.
Pour the cream cheese mixture over the base layer and spread it out evenly with a spatula, ensuring it covers all corners.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the topping is mostly set. Do not over-bake—the center of the cream cheese layer should jiggle slightly when gently moved. Let cool completely in the pan.
Cut into squares. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired, for an appealing finish.

Chef’s Notes & Tips

Almond Extract: The suggested amount of almond extract is for a fragrant, balanced almond aroma. If your extract is milder, or if you prefer a more pronounced almond flavor, feel free to increase the amount to 1 teaspoon.
Strawberries: If your diced strawberries are particularly juicy, it’s best to pat them dry with paper towels before sprinkling them over the dough. This helps prevent excessive moisture from affecting the texture of the base layer.
Powdered Sugar: Traditional Chess Squares are known for their distinct sweetness. This recipe uses the classic quantity of 1 pound (approximately 4 cups) of powdered sugar. If you prefer a slightly less sweet dessert, you can reduce the amount to 3 cups (12 ounces). Please note that even with 3 cups, this dessert will still be quite sweet, as is characteristic of Chess Squares.
Baking Pan Tip: If you are using a dark or nonstick metal baking pan, it is recommended to reduce your oven temperature slightly to 325°F (160°C). These types of pans conduct heat more efficiently, which can cause the base to rise too much or bake too quickly at 350°F. While you may need to extend the baking time slightly, begin checking for doneness around the 40-minute mark to ensure the perfect texture.
Recipe Variation: Egg Ratio: The egg ratio in Chess Square recipes can vary to achieve different textures. Many traditional recipes might use 1 egg in the base for a firmer, chewier texture, and 2 to 3 eggs in the cream cheese layer for a richer, more custardy topping. This recipe utilizes 2 eggs in each layer, which our testing has shown provides an ideal balance of a tender base and a beautifully gooey, flavorful topping. Feel free to experiment if you prefer a different texture profile.

Nutrition Information (Estimate)

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

About our recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.