Prep
45 minsBake
30 minsServes
6Difficulty
Hard About
This true teatime classic requires a little more effort and precision to make, but the results are always stunning and will impress your guests! The signature checkerboard effect not only looks beautiful, but it also tastes delicious.
Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4.
Grease a 20cm/8in square, loose-based cake tin with butter. Take a 30cm x 20cm/12in x 8in strip of baking parchment and make a 8cm/3in fold in the centre. This will create a division in the cake so that the two differently coloured sponges can be cooked at the same time. Line the tin with the baking parchment, keeping the division in the centre.
In a large bowl mix the butter, Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Light Brown Soft Pure Cane Sugar, and vanilla extract together with an electric, handheld mixer until soft and creamy for about 1 minute, then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Sift over the flour and ground almonds, lightly fold in with a metal spoon until you have a soft consistency which will easily drop from the spoon.
Split the mixture between 2 bowls. Add a little red food colouring to one half of the mixture to achieve a soft pink colour. Spoon both mixtures into each side of the prepared baking tin and level out.
Bake in the middle shelf of the oven for 25 minutes until the cakes spring back when lightly pressed with a finger.
Leave to cool for 20 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely and discard the parchment. Cut into 4 long strips, roughly 3cm high and 4cm wide. Make sure all the pieces are the exact same size. To do this line them up next to each other and use a sharp serrated knife.
Gently warm up the apricot jam or Strawberry Vanilla & Amaretto Apricot Jam. Once smooth, spread on the edges of the cake slices.
Sandwich together the cake slices like a chequerboard, pushing down to stick them closely together.
Roll the marzipan out to a 3-4mm thickness. Place the cake in the centre, folding the marzipan over and trimming away any excess, leaving a small overlap to seal together.
Place in the fridge and leave to set for an hour before serving.
Ingredients – 7 items
1
For the Cake
Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Pure Cane Soft Light Brown Sugar
8oz
Unsalted butter
softened
Eggs
Self raising flour
Ground almonds
Vanilla extract
Red food colouring
For Decoration
Apricot jam
or our strawberry vanilla & apricot amaretto jam
Marzipan
Rate this recipe!
Share your thoughts or advice
Good job, now enjoy!
Don't forget to share your creation using our hashtags in the chance to get featured.
Dreaming of the perfect iced latte? ☕✨
We’ve got just the thing… enter our giveaway for the chance to win 2x Smooth Edge glasses and our Tate & Lyle’s Barista Coffee Syrup set, everything you need to level up your at-home brews.
Want to win? Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow @tateandlylesugars
2️⃣ Like this post ❤️
3️⃣ Tag your coffee-loving friends in the comments!
Time to upgrade your coffee game… good luck! ☕💫
Competition ends at 10:00am on 13th April 2026. Must be a UK resident and 18+ to enter. Entries can be made via the Instagram or Facebook posts. One winner will be randomly selected by Tate & Lyle Sugars. The winner will be contacted directly by Tate & Lyle Sugars to arrange delivery of the prizes. Prizes may take 30 days to arrive. Prizes cannot be changed. This offer is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered or associated with Meta. Failure by the winner to accept the prize within 10 days will result in another winner being chosen. Please do not reply to any other account regarding this competition apart from @tateandlylesugars. Please click the link in our bio for the full list of T&Cs.
Bake something egg-stra special this Easter 🐣🍫
These rich, fudgy Easter brownies are made with Tate & Lyle Sugars Caster Sugar for a perfectly smooth sweetness in every bite. Finished with chocolate and mini eggs, they’re the ultimate Easter bake for sharing.
Find the full recipe via the link in our bio.
Rhubarb season is here, and it’s made for classic bakes 🌸
�This Rhubarb Crumble is topped with a golden, buttery finish thanks to Tate & Lyle Dark Brown Soft Sugar, adding a rich depth of flavour that perfectly complements the sharp fruit beneath.
#SeasonalProduce #RhubarbSeason #TateAndLyleBakes
This Mother’s Day, say it with something sweet 💐
�Our Sweet Ways to Make Mum’s Day are full of easy, heartfelt ideas to help you create treats she’ll truly love… Because homemade always means more.
#MothersDayTreats #SweetInspiration #TateAndLyleBakes
Citrus flavours are having a moment fresh, vibrant, and perfect for lighter, feel-good cooking 🍊✨
�This Seared Citrus Chicken gets a subtle caramelised sweetness from Tate & Lyle Light Brown Soft Sugar, balancing zesty citrus with rich, savoury flavours for a dish that feels restaurant quality.
A simple way to bring bold flavour to everyday meals.
#CitrusFlavours #FeelGoodFood #HomeCooking
Did you know you can infuse your sugar with extra flavour? ✨
�From citrus zest to vanilla pods and herbs, infused sugar is a simple way to add something special to everyday bakes, drinks, and desserts. Swipe through to see how easy it is to make at home and get inspired to create your own flavour combinations.
#BakingTips #KitchenHacks #InfusedSugar #TateAndLyleBakes
Set the mood this Valentine’s Day with at-home cocktails made extra special 💕🍸
�Our Beverage Syrups Gift Pack features three indulgent flavours, Vanilla, Caramel and Hazelnut, perfect for enhancing romantic drinks without leaving the house. Whether it’s a cosy night in or a toast to love, these syrups add a delicious twist to every pour.
Available to purchase on Amazon! (Link in bio)
#ValentinesAtHome #CocktailNight #TateAndLyleSyrups
Share a little love this Valentine’s Day with homemade Meringue Love Hearts 💗
Light, crisp and delicately sweet, these pretty treats are made with Tate & Lyle Golden Caster Sugar for a beautifully smooth finish and irresistible sweetness.
They’re easy to personalise too. Customise the flavours, colours or toppings to match what your loved one enjoys most, making them perfect for gifting, sharing, or enjoying together.
#ValentinesDayBakes #MeringueLoveHearts #TateAndLyleBakes
Our Products
View all products
