Chessboard Cake with Apples and Pudding

 

🍰 This beautiful layered cake looks like a chessboard when sliced. With soft sponge, creamy pudding, apples, and a glossy jelly top, it’s a showstopper that tastes as good as it looks. Perfect for family gatherings or Sunday coffee with friends.

🧾 Ingredients

For the sponge base:

• 4 eggs

• 120 g sugar (½ cup)

• 100 g flour (¾ cup)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• Pinch of salt

For the pudding cream:

• 2 packs vanilla pudding powder (or custard mix)

• 800 ml milk

• 80 g sugar (⅓ cup)

• 200 g butter, softened

For the apple layer:

• 4 medium apples, peeled & diced

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 packet red fruit jelly (strawberry/cherry)

For the topping:

• 1 packet clear jelly (or apple-flavored gelatin)

• 500 ml water or apple juice

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Bake the sponge

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Beat eggs with sugar until fluffy.

3. Gently fold in flour, baking powder, and salt.

4. Spread into a lined 9×13-inch pan and bake 20 minutes until golden. Let cool.

2. Prepare the pudding cream

1. Cook pudding powder with milk and sugar until thick. Let cool slightly.

2. Beat butter until creamy, then gradually add pudding. Mix until smooth.

3. Make the apple jelly layer

1. Cook diced apples with sugar and lemon juice for 5 minutes until slightly soft.

2. Dissolve red jelly powder in hot water (per packet instructions).

3. Stir apples into jelly and let cool until it begins to set.

4. Assemble the cake

1. Place sponge on serving tray.

2. Spread pudding cream evenly.

3. Spoon over apple jelly mixture, creating a “chessboard effect” with the red cubes.

4. Prepare clear jelly, cool slightly, then pour over the cake to seal the top.

5. Chill & serve

• Refrigerate at least 3–4 hours (best overnight).

• Slice into squares to reveal the chessboard pattern.

🌟 Serving Tip

Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream. Perfect for birthdays, Sunday coffee tables, or anytime you want a dessert that looks as stunning as it tastes.