Indulge in the irresistible decadence of Pumpkin Gooey Chess Squares—an autumn-inspired twist on a classic Southern dessert that's sure to steal the spotlight at any gathering. This luscious recipe combines a buttery yellow cake crust with a rich, spiced pumpkin cream cheese filling that’s perfectly sweet and delicately gooey in the center. Featuring hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, every bite delivers the cozy, warm flavors of fall. Easy to prepare with just 15 minutes of prep time, these dessert squares are baked to perfection in under an hour, making them the ultimate crowd-pleaser for holidays, potlucks, or a special treat at home. Serve chilled or at room temperature and get ready to savor the ultimate pumpkin dessert!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, mix the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg until a soft dough forms. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to create the crust.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and pumpkin puree together until smooth and creamy.
Add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, one cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated.
Mix in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger.
Add the remaining 2 eggs to the cream cheese mixture, beating until fully combined and the mixture is smooth.
Pour the pumpkin cream cheese mixture over the crust in the baking pan, spreading it out evenly.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly gooey. Avoid overbaking to maintain the 'gooey' texture.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Serve at room temperature or chilled, and enjoy!
Calories |
5390 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 240.8 g | 309% | |
| Saturated Fat | 123.8 g | 619% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1072 mg | 357% | |
| Sodium | 3160 mg | 137% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 803.2 g | 292% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.9 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 622.4 g | ||
| Protein | 58.3 g | 117% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.0 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 865 mg | 67% | |
| Iron | 14.0 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 1415 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.