Description
This Marble Cake combines the rich, buttery flavor of vanilla with deep chocolate swirls to create a beautiful, tender dessert that’s both elegant and simple. It’s the perfect cake for any occasion, whether you’re baking for guests or just treating yourself to something special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk (for chocolate batter)
Optional Add-ins: chocolate chips, espresso powder, Nutella, or caramel drizzle.
Substitutions: Use plant-based butter or milk for a dairy-free version, and gluten-free flour for a gluten-free cake.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan or 9-inch round pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine: Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Make Chocolate Batter: Transfer 1/3 of the batter to a small bowl. Stir in cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth.
- Layer and Swirl: Spoon vanilla and chocolate batters alternately into the pan. Swirl gently with a knife to create a marbled pattern.
- Bake: Bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Cool and Serve: Allow cake to cool completely before slicing to reveal perfect chocolate and vanilla swirls.
Notes
For extra presentation, drizzle cooled cake with chocolate ganache or dust with powdered sugar. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 5. For a make-ahead version, freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg