Chess Squares (aka Gooey Butter Bars, Neiman Marcus Bars & More!)

If you’ve never had Chess Squares before, you’re in for a real treat. They are more than just a dessert; they’re a slice of Southern heritage. These Southern dessert bars are everything a sweet tooth dreams of — a buttery, crumbly base made from yellow cake mix and eggs, topped with a rich, creamy layer of cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar. When you pull these bars out of the oven, the center remains just a tad gooey — the perfect texture that reminds you of childhood and family gatherings.

Whether you know them as Neiman Marcus Bars, Gooey Butter Cake, Chess Cake, Texas Gold Bars, or Cream Cheese Squares this is one of those old-school recipes that shows up at every family gathering, potluck, or church dinner in the South — and it disappears fast!