Chocolate Chessboard Cheesecake

You don't have to be a chess master to enjoy this impressive dessert – all you have to do is bring a healthy appetite for cake! This chocolate chessboard cheesecake has it all and wows with both its taste and appearance. We combine a light chocolate cake batter with a delicious cheesecake filling to recreate the popular strategy game in the form of a cake that will satisfy everyone across the board!

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty Level: Advanced

You'll Need:

For the chocolate cake batter:

  • 4 eggs, separated 
  • 1 cup sugar, divided
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp baking powder

For the cheesecake filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 10 gelatin sheets, soaked
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 2 cups whipped cream

For the decoration:

  • chocolate squares
  • chocolate chess pieces

Here's How:

1. For the chocolate cake batter, separate the eggs and beat the egg whites with the salt and half of the sugar. Beat the egg yolks with the other half of sugar and the vanilla extract. Carefully fold the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture and stir in the vegetable oil. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder, sift the dry mixture into the wet mixture, and stir to combine. Pour the chocolate cake batter into a 7 x 7-inch square cake pan, transfer the cake pan to a preheated oven, and cook at 350°F for 35 minutes.

2. For the cheesecake filling, combine the cream cheese, plain yogurt, vanilla extract, and sugar. Dissolve the soaked gelatin sheets in hot milk, add the white chocolate chips, and stir until the chocolate has completely melted. Fold the white chocolate gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold the whipped cream into the mixture and spoon the cheesecake filling into a piping bag.

3. Cut the baked cake down to 6 x 6 inches. Then cut it in half horizontally twice for a total of 3 equally-thick cake layers.

4. Place the first layer of cake in an adjustable square baking frame and evenly spread 2–3 tablespoons of the cheesecake filling over the cake layer.

5. Place the other 2 cake layers on the countertop and cut each layer into 4 squares of different sizes, as shown in the video.

6. From the first set of squares, place the largest and the third largest square in the baking frame and use the cheesecake filling to fill in the gaps. Place the second largest and the smallest square in the baking frame and also use the cheesecake filling to fill in these gaps. Repeat the layering with the second set of squares and cheesecake filling, but in reverse order to create a chessboard pattern.

7. Spread a final layer of cheesecake filling over the top of the cake and place several chocolate squares on top in a chessboard pattern. Transfer the cake and the rest of the cheesecake filling to the fridge and chill for 24 hours.

8. Remove the baking frame and coat the outside of the cake with the remaining cheesecake filling. Place a couple of chocolate chess pieces on top of the cake as the finishing touch.

Is it even possible for a cake to look more impressive? All you need to do now is put on the "Queen's Gambit" and treat yourself to a piece or 2 of our chocolate chessboard cheesecake!

Comments

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