Best 7 Checkerboard Cake Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the delightful Checkerboard Cake, a classic dessert that captivates with its alternating layers of light and dark batter, creating a visually stunning and flavorful treat. This recipe presents two variations: the traditional Checkerboard Cake and a decadent Chocolate Checkerboard Cake, both offering unique taste experiences. As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll discover the secrets to achieving perfect layers, ensuring a striking checkerboard pattern. Learn how to prepare the batter, layer it skillfully, and bake it to perfection, resulting in a moist, tender cake with a delightful contrast of flavors. Additional tips and tricks are provided to help you troubleshoot common baking challenges and achieve a picture-perfect Checkerboard Cake that will impress your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHECKERBOARD CAKE RECIPE BY TASTY



Checkerboard Cake Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: chocolate cake, yellow cake, chocolate frosting

Provided by Alix Traeger

Categories     Bakery Goods

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 chocolate cake, prepared, 9 inches (23 cm)
1 yellow cake, prepared, 9 inches (23 cm)
chocolate frosting

Steps:

  • Slice the top of both cakes to create a flat surface.
  • Cut both cakes in half widthwise to create four cakes.
  • Place a small plate on top of the cake and cut around to create a smaller circle.
  • Place a glass in the middle of the cake and cut around to create an even smaller circle.
  • Assemble the first layer by placing the outside chocolate ring on a plate or cake stand. Insert the next yellow cake ring and then the inner chocolate cake ring.
  • Frost the cake with a thin layer of frosting in between each layer.
  • Continue forming layers alternating the colors on the outside.
  • After the fourth layer frost the entire cake and cool in the refrigerator.
  • Slice and serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 257 calories, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 2 grams, Sugar 29 grams

CHECKERBOARD BIRTHDAY CAKE



Checkerboard Birthday Cake image

Although this cake from our Test Kitchen does take some time to prepare, no special pan is needed. The different batters are simply added in rings in three 9-inch round pans.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups cake flour, divided
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Red liquid food coloring
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Yellow liquid food coloring
FROSTING:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
6-1/2 to 7-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
3/4 cup milk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Grease three 9-in. round baking pans; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine 2-1/2 cups of cake flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk. , Divide batter into thirds. To one portion, fold in melted chocolate and vanilla. To second portion, fold in 1/4 cup flour, almond extract and 3-4 drops red food coloring. To third portion, fold in lemon extract, 3-4 drops yellow food coloring and remaining flour., Spoon a ring of chocolate batter around edge of one prepared pan; spoon a ring of pink batter inside chocolate ring and fill center with yellow batter. Spoon a ring of yellow batter around edge of second pan; add a chocolate middle ring and a pink center. Spoon a ring of pink batter around edge of third pan; add a yellow middle ring and chocolate center., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, cream butter and 2 cups confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in melted chocolate until smooth. Add milk and vanilla. Beat in enough of the remaining confectioners' sugar until frosting achieves spreading consistency. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 625 calories, Fat 24g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 91mg cholesterol, Sodium 316mg sodium, Carbohydrate 98g carbohydrate (74g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CHOCOLATE CHECKERBOARD CAKE



Chocolate Checkerboard Cake image

"Check" out this new patterned cake. It's the pan that makes the magic!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
1 cup milk
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 container Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour bottoms and sides of three 9-inch round pans of checkerboard cake set. Place divider ring in one of the pans, following manufacturer's directions.
  • In medium bowl, beat cake mix, milk, cream cheese, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly, then on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter in half; stir cocoa into half of the batter.
  • Spoon batter into each pan and using divider ring, following manufacturer's directions.
  • Bake 18 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen side of each cake from pan with metal spatula; turn upside down onto cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Using a thin layer of frosting between layers, stack cake layers so outside colors of cake alternate. Place cake on serving plate; frost side and top of cake with frosting. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 310 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

LEMON-LIME CHECKERBOARD CAKE



Lemon-Lime Checkerboard Cake image

Put a citrus spin on the iconic British Battenberg cake with our photo-worthy Lemon-Lime Checkerboard Cake. It's deceptively easy to make, but just as delicious as it looks.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 4h20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix
4 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 eggs
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
1/4 teaspoon Betty Crocker™ Green Gel Food Color
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon Betty Crocker™ Yellow Gel Food Color
1/2 cup lemon curd
4 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Grated zest of lemon and lime, for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans with shortening; lightly flour.
  • In large bowl, beat cake mix, 4 oz cream cheese, the water, 1/4 cup lemon juice and the eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour half the batter (2 cups) in another medium bowl.
  • To one half of the batter, add lime zest and green gel food color. Mix until combined. Add lemon zest and yellow gel food color to remaining half of batter. Mix until combined. Pour green batter into one loaf pan and yellow batter into other loaf pan.
  • Bake 22 to 27 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of each cake comes out clean. Cool in pans on cooling rack 10 minutes; run metal spatula around edges of each loaf to loosen. Remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Using serrated knife, cut rounded tops off each cake, so they're level. Trim 1/4 inch off all 4 sides (leave bottoms uncut). On serving platter, set one cake on top of the other, top sides up, and line them up as much as possible. Make one cut down middle of cakes, lengthwise, making 4 long strips. Switch position of two of the strips to alternate colors in two layers, making sure top sides remain up.
  • Gently remove both strips from top layer. To help bottom strips stick together, spread 2 tablespoons lemon curd between the two bottom layer strips, and gently press together. Then spread 1/4 cup lemon curd on top of the bottom layer. Spread remaining 2 tablespoons lemon curd between the two strips of the top layer, and gently press them together. Place on top of bottom layer so the strips create a checkerboard pattern, if looking at them from either short end.
  • In medium bowl, beat 4 oz cream cheese and the butter with electric mixer on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice; mix on low speed 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; beat 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth and fluffy.
  • Spread icing over cake, using spatula to completely coat top and sides. Garnish with grated lemon and lime zests. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370, Carbohydrate 59 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, ServingSize 1 Slice, Sodium 390 mg, Sugar 41 g, TransFat 0 g

CHECKERBOARD CAKE



Checkerboard Cake image

Make and share this Checkerboard Cake recipe from Food.com.

Provided by quid_pro_quo

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h

Yield 1 cake

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 ounces dark chocolate
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
10 ounces dark chocolate
1 cup whipping cream

Steps:

  • Grease and flour three 9" round cake pans.
  • Trace three 9-inch circles on parchment paper; cut out. Draw 6-inch circle, centered, on each cutout; draw 3-inch circle, centered, on each cutout.
  • Line bottom of each pan with 1 paper circle, pencil side down.
  • In large heatproof bowl set over hot (not boiling) water, melt chopped chocolate. Stir in cocoa powder. Let cool to room temperature.
  • In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In large bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs,one at a time, beating well after each addition, add vanilla.
  • Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of buttermilk.
  • Stir 3 1/2 cups of the batter into melted chocolate.
  • Spoon white and chocolate batters into separate large piping bags(or spoon into 2 large resealable plastic bags and cut 1-inch hole in 1 corner of each).
  • Pipe chocolate batter to fill outer ring of each of 2 of the pans.
  • Pipe white batter over middle ring, then chocolate batter over inner ring.
  • In third pan, pipe white batter over outer ring, chocolate over middle ring and white over inner ring.
  • Bake in centre of 350°F oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean, 20-25 minutes.
  • Let cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.
  • For the filling, place chopped chocolate in bowl.
  • In saucepan, heat whipping cream over medium heat just until steaming. Pour over chocolate, whisking just until melted.
  • Refrigerate until thickened but still spreadable, about 30 minutes.
  • Whisk just until color lightens.
  • Using serrated knife, trim tops of cake layers to make level, if necessary.
  • Starting with 1 of the cake layers with chocolate outer ring, spread with 1/3 cup of the ganache.
  • Top with cake layer with white outer ring; spread with another 1/3 cup of the ganache.
  • Top with remaining cake layer.
  • Cover top and side with remaining ganache.
  • Refrigerate before serving.
  • Some people may find it easier to use one of "Checkerboard Cake Pan Sets" available online or in local stores.
  • http://www.amazon.com/s/102-7283235-2715300?ie=UTF8&keywords=Checkerboard%20Cake%20Pan&search-type=ss&index=kitchen.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 7505.3, Fat 498.5, SaturatedFat 301.9, Cholesterol 1886.3, Sodium 4736.3, Carbohydrate 756.5, Fiber 75.8, Sugar 325.4, Protein 142.1

CHOCOLATE CHECKERBOARD CAKE



Chocolate Checkerboard Cake image

"Check" out this new patterned cake. It's the pan that makes the magic!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
1 cup milk
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 container Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour bottoms and sides of three 9-inch round pans of checkerboard cake set. Place divider ring in one of the pans, following manufacturer's directions.
  • In medium bowl, beat cake mix, milk, cream cheese, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly, then on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter in half; stir cocoa into half of the batter.
  • Spoon batter into each pan and using divider ring, following manufacturer's directions.
  • Bake 18 to 26 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen side of each cake from pan with metal spatula; turn upside down onto cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Using a thin layer of frosting between layers, stack cake layers so outside colors of cake alternate. Place cake on serving plate; frost side and top of cake with frosting. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 310 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

PARTY CHECKERBOARD CAKE



Party Checkerboard Cake image

"Check" out this new patterned cake. It's the pan that makes the magic!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h5m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
1 cup milk
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1/2 box (4-serving size) Jell-O™ strawberry- or orange-flavored gelatin
1 container Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting
Yellow food color
Betty Crocker™ Easy Flow white decorating icing (from 6.4-oz can), if desired
Candy flowers, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour bottoms and sides of three 9-inch round pans of checkerboard cake set. Place divider ring in one of the pans, following manufacturer's directions.
  • In medium bowl, beat cake mix, milk, cream cheese, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 2 minutes longer. Divide batter in half; stir gelatin into half of the batter.
  • Spoon batter into each pan and using divider ring, following manufacturer's directions.
  • Bake 23 to 29 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen side of each cake from pan with metal spatula; turn upside down onto cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • Tint frosting with yellow food color until deep yellow color. Using a thin layer of frosting between layers, stack cake layers so outside colors of cake alternate. Place cake on serving plate; frost side and top of cake with frosting. Decorate with decorating icing; garnish with candy flowers. Store loosely covered.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240, Carbohydrate 39 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 260 mg, Sugar 28 g, TransFat 1 1/2 g

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and tools ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Proper Measurements: Use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients accurately. This will ensure that your cake turns out perfectly.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help them blend together more easily and create a smooth batter.
  • Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can make your cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Use Parchment Paper: Line your cake pans with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
  • Bake Evenly: Rotate the cake pans halfway through baking to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
  • Let the Cake Cool Completely: Before you frost the cake, let it cool completely. This will help the frosting set properly.
  • Chill the Cake Before Frosting: Chilling the cake before frosting will help the frosting adhere better.
  • Use a Piping Bag: A piping bag will help you create clean and even lines of frosting.
  • Be Creative: Have fun and be creative with your frosting design. You can use different colors, sprinkles, or even edible flowers to decorate your cake.

Conclusion:

Making a checkerboard cake may seem intimidating, but it is actually a fun and rewarding experience. With a little planning and care, you can create a beautiful and delicious cake that will impress your friends and family. So don't be afraid to give it a try!

Related Topics