Southern as Scarlet O~ MoonPie Chess Bars

So, how do you make Chess Bars more Southern? (as if we even imagined that being possible!)...Well, simple. You add a healthy dose of MoonPies to the mix. I'd certainly have to say that's about as southern as Miss Scarlett O'Hara. And, in the words of Miss O'Hara "As God as my witness," you will want to make these sooner rather than later.
If you're not from the South you may be wondering what this MoonPie is that I'm referring to. Basically, its soft graham crackers layered with marshmallow fluff and dipped in a flavored coating. MoonPies were born in the early 1900's when a Chattanooga bakery owner began trying to cater to all the local coal miners. Well, the coal miners had already discovered that graham crackers dipped in marshmallow fluff (recently being exported from New England)  made an excellent/filling treat, albeit a bit messy to carry around in the mines. So the bakery owner created the multi-layered "pies" as a way for the coal miners to easily pack in their lunches, but made them quite large since sometimes the miners did not get to stop for lunch. They've continued to be a favorite in the south ever since.
Though the exact origins of the Chess Bars are unknown, like most uncommonly good treats, we just try to claim them here in the south as our own:) No one seems to balk at this idea....especially when you start combining them with southern staples such as MoonPies! I will warn you about these particular chess bars......they are incredibly addictive. Usually I can make a dessert, try it and freeze the rest.Well, with this one, I just started eating it straight out of the freezer. Even the subzero temperatures could not stop me. So, save yourself some time at the gym and make sure you make this when you have a group to share it with! Enjoy!

 

Southern as Scarlet O'~

MoonPie Chess Squares

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1-lb box cofectioner’s sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 Double Decker MoonPies (flavor of your choice), coarsley chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cake mix, butter and 1 egg. Add pecans and mix well. Press into bottom of 9″ x 13″ pan. Sprinkle chopped MoonPies over crust.
Beat cream cheese, vanilla and confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Pour over crust. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until set.