Kitchen Confessions - Chess Squares

Cake Mix Questions

Sometimes I get the idea that using a prepackaged cake mix is considered anathema to food blogging integrity. Not every food blogger is apologetic about using mixes but there are many who are. As a whole we seem to be convinced that prepackaged mixes are inherently poor choices, at least nutritionally, if not morally, speaking.

I guess I kind of agree. Kind of....

I know that it is almost as easy to make most things without a mix. It is also generally cheaper and employs fewer preservatives. Making things from scratch allows me more control over the ingredients and perhaps helps me to take more ownership of the outcome.

Still…..

Family Favorites

What is the right thing to do when my husband asks me to make Chess Squares? This is a recipe that I got long ago from his mother. They have been loved by the family for years and have been served at many family events. They were on the menu at my oldest son’s baptism reception. I remember eating them at showers and summer barbecues. They are a tradition in his family and they are, well, made from a yellow cake mix. No way (I know of) around it.

So, when my husband suggests that I make these, what should I do? Should I laugh? Refuse? Make up a new and “improved” version without a cake mix? Or should I simply give the man what he wants?

Understanding his relationship with this sweet treat, I honored his request.


To Blog or Not To Blog?

But then I wondered – should I blog about making these or not?

Obviously, I ended up thinking, "Yes!" Chess Squares are a family favorite and many of the recipes I post are here because my family wants the recipe. Honestly, they are not too worried about the integrity of my cooking ethic or whether or not the recipes I use cut corners and include ingredients of convenience. If it tastes good to them they'll eat it. What's more, at college my children don't always have a pantry full of staples and there are times when a recipe based on a cake mix is much easier for them to handle and still more economical than buying snacks on the go.

I don’t use mixes all that often in my own kitchen but I don’t know why I should feel bad about using them when I do. Sometimes they even add a special quality to a recipe that is valuable. When I used to make decorated birthday cakes I used a pound cake recipe based on a boxed cake mix because of how well it held together for carving and shaping. I also used that recipe because it tasted really good.

Cake Mix Confessions

And then there is the Pumpkin Praline Cake I make almost every fall that starts with a cake mix. It is easy and tastes good and has an awesome praline topping. I can confidently make it in no time when providing a meal, attending a pot luck or taking a holiday treat to school or work.

Normally I would make scones from scratch but last weekend I noticed that I had a scone mix in my pantry. The boys were hungry so I decided to get rid of the boxed mix by using it. I added cinnamon chips and a sprinkling of course sugar and cinnamon to the top. While I didn’t like them quite as well as the simple scones I make from scratch, they were good.

And while I am playing true confessions with boxed mixes, I must admit that, while I do tend to dress them up, I often start with a boxed mix as a base for brownies. They turn out consistently delicious and on the average as good as homemade brownies starting from scratch, with less fuss and dirty dishes to clean.

So there you have it. Now, do you want to try one of these scrumptious Chess Squares or not? Mine are almost gone but you can make some of your own….if you dare.



Chess Squares

1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, softened
4 eggs
1 8oz.package cream cheese, softened
1 box (1 pound) powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter and one egg. Press the mixture into a 13" x 9" pan.

In a small bowl beat together the softened cream cheese and 3 eggs. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake mix mixture and smooth it to the edges of the pan.

Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove to wire rack to cool. Cut into squares.

Serve and enjoy!