Prepare to be amazed by the most strategic dessert you'll ever create! This Chess Board Cake isn't just a treat - it's an edible masterpiece that will leave your guests in awe. Imagine a perfectly crafted checkerboard cake paired with intricately designed chess piece cookies that look almost too beautiful to eat. Whether you're a baking enthusiast, a chess lover, or simply someone who appreciates culinary art, this recipe will transform your kitchen into a delicious playground of creativity and skill.
Prep Time: 40 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Black and white fondant
- Royal icing
- Cookie dough for chess pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch square baking pans with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the batter equally between two bowls. Leave one bowl as is (white), and add black food coloring to the other bowl to create a dark batter.
- Pour batters into prepared pans, creating alternating black and white squares. Use a spatula to create clean, even layers.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely on wire racks.
- While cakes cool, prepare chess piece cookies using cookie dough. Roll out dough and cut into classic chess piece shapes using specialized cookie cutters.
- Bake chess piece cookies at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
- Once cakes are cooled, trim edges to create perfect squares. Cut each cake into 2-inch squares, alternating black and white.
- Arrange cake squares in a checkerboard pattern on a large serving platter, creating the chess board design.
- Roll out black and white fondant. Cover chess piece cookies with corresponding colored fondant, creating detailed chess piece designs.
- Use royal icing to add intricate details and secure fondant to cookies. Allow icing to set completely.
- Place fondant-covered chess piece cookies around the cake board, mimicking a chess game setup.
- Refrigerate cake and cookies for 30 minutes before serving to help set the design and enhance flavors.
Tips
- Precision is Key: Use a ruler or measuring tape to ensure your cake squares are exactly 2 inches for a perfect checkerboard pattern.
- Food Coloring Hack: When creating black and white batters, add gel food coloring for more vibrant, consistent colors that won't alter the cake's texture.
- Fondant Handling: Knead fondant thoroughly and use cornstarch to prevent sticking when rolling and covering chess piece cookies.
- Chilling Matters: Refrigerating the cake and cookies helps set the design and makes decorating easier.
- Royal Icing Trick: Use a very fine piping tip for intricate chess piece details to create professional-looking designs.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the cake and cookies a day in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers.
- Temperature Control: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 274kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
