Checkerboard Terrace Delight (Printable Version)

A whimsical combination of crunchy, soft, sweet, and salty squares in a 4x4 arrangement with vibrant layers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crunchy Layer

01 - 2.8 oz crisp shortbread cookies or graham crackers, crushed
02 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

→ Soft Layer

03 - 2.8 oz cream cheese, softened
04 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ Sweet Layer

06 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
07 - 1/4 cup heavy cream

→ Salty Layer

08 - 2.8 oz salted caramel sauce
09 - Flaky sea salt, for garnish

→ Assembly

10 - 16 small raspberries (optional, for garnish)

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine crushed cookies with melted butter and press evenly into an 8x8 inch parchment-lined baking dish. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
02 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Heat heavy cream to simmering, pour over chopped chocolate, let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Use store-bought salted caramel sauce or prepare homemade caramel in advance.
05 - Remove base from refrigerator and lightly score surface into a 4x4 grid using a ruler and sharp knife.
06 - Fill four squares with cream cheese mixture, four with chocolate ganache, four with salted caramel sauce sprinkled with flaky sea salt, and leave four as crunchy base topped with raspberries when desired. Arrange to avoid adjacent similar textures for a checkerboard pattern.
07 - Refrigerate assembled layers for 30 minutes.
08 - Cut carefully along the grid lines to separate into sixteen bite-sized squares and serve slightly chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Each square feels like a tiny surprise, shifting between creamy, crunchy, chocolatey, and salty with every bite.
  • It looks impressive enough to serve at dinner parties but requires no advanced baking skills, just patience and a ruler.
02 -
  • Softening your cream cheese beforehand is non-negotiable; cold cream cheese will never beat smooth, and lumps will ruin your texture.
  • The checkerboard pattern matters not just visually but texturally—mixing similar textures next to each other makes the whole thing feel less intentional and less delightful.
03 -
  • A sharp knife and firm, deliberate cuts matter more than any fancy tools; invest in a good serrated knife if you're serious about clean slices.
  • Make this a day ahead and keep it chilled—the flavors actually improve, and you'll serve it with more confidence knowing everything is already set.
Go Back