Chess Squares

In honor of Father’s Day, I mixed up a batch of these for my father in law (who still calls them lemon squares every time even though there’s not a drop of lemon in them).  These are his absolute favorites, and, in fact, we all love them.  The blasted things are crack.  If I wasn’t giving them as a gift, I’d eat half the batch.  They’re so super simple and easy.  But very very rich.  Be sure to have a glass of milk handy!

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (whatever the cheapest is)
• 3 eggs
• 1 box of powdered sugar
• 1 block of cream cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 9×13 baking dish/pan with cooking spray (I use the one for baking)
3. Scramble one egg lightly and mix with the cake mix.  The result will be a sort of damp, crumbly mixture. Press this into the bottom of the pan with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
4. In a tall bowl, mix the room temperature cream cheese, other 2 eggs, and the powdered sugar.  Be sure to use a tall bowl and not a shallow one or you’ll get the icing everywhere.  I sure did.  I think there’s still a smear on the coffee pot…
5. Pour this mixture over the top of the crust and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 45 minutes and allow to cool before cutting.

Now you all know that I am all about cutting the fat in stuff.  You can’t do it in this.  I’ve tried.  It doesn’t work.  Do yourself a favor and don’t try to cut corners.

Printable version.