Checkerboard Cake

Checkerboard Cake Pan Set

Well... Now that I have a blog, I should share my first experience with Nordic Ware's Checkerboard Cake Pan Set.

First off, baking is in my blood... but I am not quite as polished as my Nana. :) Hopefully one day I can learn all her secrets. 

I do not own this picture.

In the box that I received from Amazon.com were three 8" round pans, and one "bulls eye-like" insert.

It was recommended that your grease both the pans & the insert.

I didn't take a photo while I was filling the pans with the insert in the pan, but the idea is to hold the insert down with one hand and pour, or spread, (depending on the consistency), the cake mix. 

Since there are three cake pans, you must fill by alternating the colors. If you choose to have the cake look like the first photo, then you would have two pans that were poured with (chocolate, vanilla, chocolate) and one with (vanilla, chocolate, vanilla). 

But- I found out that because I had only two vanilla Duncan Hines cake mixes, I had to add cocoa powder to the cake mix and turn it into a chocolate cake, and it made it pudding-like (not recommended). So my cake was backwards from the box image.

To the left is the three pans filled with the alternating colors. 

I put them in the oven for the time on the box, but I still kept an eye on them. I removed when the time was up and a toothpick came out clean from the center of each cake.

Despite the icing running off the cake (I never said I was good at this) *my brother helped with the decorating* I think that it turned out alright.

But... I still don't understand something that happened.

When the cakes were cooling- the rings pulled apart, I am not sure if it was because of the grease on the insert (I needed it so I would come out of the cake), or if there was another reason... Guess I will just have to try again. 

*Tip. Do NOT buy the 99cent icing at the store... YUCK!*

Find an amazing recipe and make your own icing, it will taste so much better.

My little cousin loves sprinkles :)

*BONUS*

White Chocolate dipped pretzel rods. 

Here is what you need:

Pretzel rods

White chocolate almond bark

 (& if children are present SPRINKLES)

I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at the Nordic Ware Checkerboard cake pans!

Until next time, 

Miss Meg