Description

This Marble Cake Perfection recipe is a delightful blend of rich chocolate and classic vanilla flavors swirled together in a moist, tender cake. Perfectly balanced and beautifully marbled, this easy-to-make cake is ideal for casual afternoons or special occasions, promising a delicious treat with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) milk

Chocolate Batter

1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder
3 tbsp hot water

Instructions

Prepare Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf or bundt pan to ensure easy removal of the cake. In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine the dry ingredients evenly. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor. Gradually add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture, starting and finishing with the dry components, mixing just until combined.
Make Chocolate Batter: Divide the prepared batter into two equal portions. In one portion, whisk together the cocoa powder and hot water until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps, then fold this cocoa mixture gently into the batter half to create the chocolate batter.
Create Marble Effect: Alternately spoon the vanilla and chocolate batters into the prepared pan to form layers. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the batters together, creating a beautiful marbled pattern without overmixing which can blend the colors.
Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 50 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For a richer flavor, substitute half of the milk with buttermilk.
Ensure the butter is softened, but not melted, for the best creaminess during mixing.
Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the cake tender and light.
Use a toothpick or cake tester to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the cake.
The hot water added to the cocoa powder helps to intensify the chocolate flavor and smooth out the mixture.
If using a bundt pan, grease it thoroughly and dust with flour for easy release.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of cake)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 28 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 44 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 95 mg

Keywords: marble cake, chocolate vanilla cake, swirled cake, homemade cake, dessert recipe