Checkerboard Terrace Delight (Print out)

Bite-sized squares feature a mix of crunchy, soft, sweet, and salty textures for a fun treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crunchy Layer

01 - 2.8 oz crisp shortbread cookies or graham crackers, crushed
02 - 2 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 to set.
02 - Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
03 - Heat heavy cream until just simmering, pour over chopped dark chocolate, let stand for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Use prepared salted caramel sauce. If homemade, prepare in advance.
05 - Remove crunchy base from refrigerator. Using a ruler and sharp knife, lightly score the surface into a 4x4 grid (16 squares).
06 - Fill 4 squares each with cream cheese mixture (soft), chocolate ganache (sweet), salted caramel sauce with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt (salty), and leave 4 squares as crunchy base topped optionally with raspberries. Arrange to avoid adjacent squares sharing the same texture, creating a checkerboard pattern.
07 - Refrigerate the assembled squares for 30 minutes to allow layers to set.
08 - Carefully cut along the grid lines to yield 16 individual squares. Serve slightly chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on something that actually takes under two hours total.
  • Each bite is genuinely different, so four squares never feels like eating four of the same thing.
  • You can make it ahead and slice it fresh whenever guests arrive, which is the kind of kitchen freedom we all deserve.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese layer cracks when you slice, it means either the cream cheese wasn't at room temperature before mixing or the whole dessert wasn't chilled long enough—sixty minutes total is better than thirty if you're in doubt.
  • The checkerboard only works visually if you actually alternate the textures; random placement looks accidental rather than intentional, so spend two minutes thinking about your arrangement before you start filling.
03 -
  • Make this dessert the morning of serving and slice it fresh right before guests arrive—the presentation moment matters as much as the taste.
  • If slicing feels impossible, briefly dip your knife in hot water and wipe it completely dry between each cut for clean edges that don't drag through the layers.
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