Today I’m going  to show you how to make a checkerboard cake! These cakes are so much fun, surprisingly easy, and no special pans are required! I love this fun cake design option for creatively incorporating two different cake flavors or colors into one slice of cake!

Let’s get started!

I started out with four, 6″ round cake layers, leveled.   You will need to cut two circles from each layer— I used  2″ and 4″ cookie cutters.  The size of your cutters will vary depending on the size of your cake.   The more evenly spaced your rings, the better.  It helps to see this done in pictures…

First, insert the smallest circular cutter into the center of each layer (You can also use a template and cut your circles out with a knife.)  Carefully remove the center, leaving them intact.  ** Note– this cake is most easily cut & assembled when partially frozen.

Now, it’s time to cut your larger circles!  The idea is to make the width of  the cake in each of your rings as equal as possible, so that the squares of your checkerboard will all appear to be equal in size.

For this reason, I used 2″ and 4″ circles for a 6″ cake.  For a larger cakes, you’ll slightly adjust the size of your cutters (or templates).

Circles, circles everywhere!  These become our puzzle pieces.  Let’s put the puzzle back together.

How cool is this?    Suddenly…I want to go to Target :0)

Things are coming together!

I decided to place these cakes in the freezer to firm up a little before stacking, just to be on the safe side for easy handling.  I stacked on a cardboard cake circle, and then stacked my layers with waxed paper in between.

Once your are ready, frost as usual…I’m using our Classic Chocolate Buttercream. YUM!

Make sure that the outer rings of your layers alternate as you stack them.

I crumb coated my cake with chocolate buttercream frosting just before breaking out my star tip 21 for a little piping fun…

I didn’t have any piping design in particular in mind when I started, ha! But I like the whimsical outcome! Buttercream piping is such a versatile way to decorate a cake…whether you are piping intricate designs, or quick and easy styles like this one!

We’re finished! The cake is just so pretty sitting there on the pedestal…but you know the inside is even better!

Ahhhh….love it! Such a cool design, and checkerboard cakes are such a creative (and unexpected) way to incorporate multiple cake flavors! Marble Cakes and Zebra Cakes are perfect for this too if you’d like even more options!

Hope you enjoyed this little tutorial!! Sometimes the most interesting cakes are actually very simple to make!  Do they still make checked ice cream?  I’m going to have to look into that!

Keep in mind that checkerboard cakes don’t necessarily have to be chocolate and white! Have fun experimenting with various flavors and colors! For instance, chocolate & pink checkerboard, red and white, and so on! Enjoy!

**Make sure to stop by our Recipes Section for a full collection of our FAVORITE cake and frosting recipes, and also our Free Tutorials Section for simple and creative cake decorating ideas!