Description
This classic Marble Cake recipe combines rich vanilla and chocolate batters swirled together to create a beautiful marbled effect. Moist and flavorful, it’s perfect for dessert or an afternoon treat with coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
Chocolate Batter
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons hot water
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt evenly to ensure proper leavening.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to maintain emulsification. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine with dry ingredients and milk: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Create chocolate batter: Divide the batter in half. In a small bowl, blend the cocoa powder with hot water until smooth, then fold this mixture into one half of the batter to form the chocolate portion.
- Layer and swirl: Drop alternating spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two batters together creating the signature marbled pattern without overmixing.
- Bake the cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the cake: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, stir in a handful of chocolate chips into the chocolate batter.
- This marble cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or can be garnished with a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
