There’s something exceptionally comforting about a slice of Marble Cake. It’s that beautiful mix of delicate vanilla and rich chocolate swirling in a moist loaf, inviting you in for the first, buttery bite. With its eye-catching patterns and decadent flavor, this classic cake is perfect for any occasion—be it afternoon tea with friends or a festive gathering. As you savor each forkful, the lush texture and enticing aromas will transport you back in time, perhaps to cherished moments spent in the kitchen with loved ones. Let’s dive into this magnificent recipe to create something truly special together!

Why Marble Cake Holds a Special Place in My Heart

The Delightful Visuals: The marbled pattern is like art on a plate, with each slice revealing a unique swirl. It’s a feast for the eyes as much as it is for the taste buds!
Flavor Harmony: The combination of cocoa-rich chocolate and buttery vanilla creates a symphony of flavors that appeals to everyone’s palate. It’s the best of both worlds!
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy family gathering, a charming brunch, or a milestone celebration, Marble Cake fits the bill. It’s versatile enough to suit any event.
Satisfying Texture: With a tender and chewy crumb, this cake delights with each bite and stays fresh and moist for days. It’s hard to resist going back for seconds—or thirds!
A Nostalgic Touch: Baking Marble Cake can awaken fond memories of family traditions, sparking joy and laughter as you enjoy the fruits of your labor with those you hold dear.

Gathering Your Ingredients

Let’s make sure you have everything you need to create this stunning cake. Here’s what to gather:

2 1/2 cups (325g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled: The backbone of your cake, providing structure and texture.
2 tbsp cornstarch: This little addition helps keep your cake tender and fluffy.
2 tsp baking powder: A key leavening agent that gives the cake its perfect lift.
1/2 tsp baking soda: Balances the acidity of the batter, contributing to a light and airy texture.
1/2 tsp salt: Enhances flavor and tempers sweetness.
1 1/2 cups (360mL) milk, room temp: Ensures a moist, rich crumb.
1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar: A secret weapon that reacts with baking soda to help the cake rise and add tenderness.
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temp: Brings a rich, creamy flavor to your cake.
1/3 cup (80mL) vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and fluffy; you can swap in other neutral oils if preferred.
1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to create that lovely tender texture.
3 large eggs, room temp: Essential for binding and adding moisture.
2 tsp pure vanilla extract: Provides comforting, sweet notes.
1/4 cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder: The star of the chocolate element, adding depth of flavor.
1 tsp black cocoa powder (optional): For a richer shade and a more intense chocolate taste.

For the Chocolate Buttercream:

5 tablespoons whole milk, room temp: Creates a silky smooth buttercream.
1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, room temp: Ensures your frosting is creamy and spreadable.
4 cups (520g) powdered sugar, sifted: Sweetens and adds fluffiness to the frosting.
1 cup (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted: Gives your buttercream a luscious chocolatey flavor.
Pinch of salt: Balances sweetness.
3-4 tbsp milk: To reach the desired consistency for the frosting.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract: A hint of warmth to round out the sweetness.

Let’s Create Something Delicious!

Now that we’ve got everything we need, it’s time to get to the fun part—baking! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a magnificent Marble Cake to share.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch bundt pan or a standard loaf pan. The aim is to make sure everything slides right out when the time comes!
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, helping the cake rise perfectly.
In a measuring cup, combine the milk and white vinegar. Let it stand for a few minutes to sour—this little trick creates a buttermilk effect, yielding a moist cake.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, vegetable oil, and sugar until light and fluffy—about 4-5 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to a lighter texture.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Smell that vanilla wafting through your kitchen? It’s one of my favorite baking moments!
Slowly mix in the flour mixture and the soured milk, alternating between the two and ending with the flour. Be careful not to overmix; we want a tender crumb!
Divide the batter into two bowls. In one bowl, sift in the cocoa and black cocoa powder, mixing until fully incorporated.
Now comes the fun part! Using a ladle, spoon alternating amounts of the vanilla and chocolate batters into the prepared pan. Swirl them gently with a knife to create that gorgeous marbled effect—no need to overdo it, as you want those distinct ribbons of flavor!
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The aroma will fill your home with sweetness and anticipation!
Once baked, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
While it cools, let’s whip up that luscious chocolate buttercream. Beat together the room-temperature butter and sifted cocoa powder, gradually adding in sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk to reach your desired consistency.
Once the cake is cool, spread that silky frosting on top, letting it cascade down the sides, inviting your friends and family to dig in!

Tips to Elevate Your Baking Experience

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure a smoother batter and better emulsion.
Don’t Skip the Sifting: Sifting both your cocoa powder and powdered sugar reduces clumps, resulting in a silky buttercream.
Check for Doneness: Every oven is different; start checking your cake early to prevent overbaking!
Swirling Technique: Don’t overly mix your batters together. Just a gentle swirl creates the beautiful marbled effect that makes this cake so visually appealing.
Serve Warm: If you can hold off just long enough, serving this cake slightly warm from the oven makes for an even more indulgent experience!

Creative Twists for Your Marble Cake Adventure

Fruit Additions: Try throwing in some fresh berries or bananas for added flavor and moisture.
Nutty Crunch: Swirl in some chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for extra texture and a delightful crunch.
Flavored Education: Experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon for a unique take on your marble cake.
Frosting Flips: Instead of chocolate buttercream, try a cream cheese frosting to complement the flavors beautifully.
Holiday Spice: Add ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the vanilla batter for a warm spice kick during the holidays.

Savoring Every Slice

To serve this enticing Marble Cake, I love to place slices on a beautiful cake stand, for a touch of elegance. Pair your cake with a cup of rich coffee or a chilled glass of milk, and take a moment to appreciate the swirls of flavor coming together harmoniously. A sprinkle of powdered sugar on top adds a finishing touch of elegance and charm!

Keeping Your Marble Cake Fresh

To keep your leftover Marble Cake delightful for days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you’d like to keep it longer, slice it and wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. It can last up to three months in the freezer! Simply defrost at room temperature or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds until warm.

Your Questions Answered

Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute in place of the all-purpose flour. Just make sure it has xanthan gum added for structure.
How can I adjust the sweetness?
If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the granulated sugar in the cake batter by 1/4 to 1/2 a cup. It will still taste fantastic!
Can I bake this as cupcakes?
Yes! This batter is perfect for cupcakes too. Bake them for 18-20 minutes at the same temperature and watch them closely!
Is there a dairy-free option?
Certainly! Swap out regular milk for almond or oat milk, and use a plant-based butter substitute for the butter in both the cake and frosting.

There you have it! A delicious Marble Cake that is sure to delight anyone fortunate enough to share it with you. With its rich, harmonious flavors and charming visual appeal, this cake has a way of bringing people together—whether it’s reminiscing about the good times or creating new memories over delightful slices. I encourage you to give this recipe a try; you’ll be greeted with smiles and requests for seconds. Happy baking!

Marble Cake

A perfect blend of delicate vanilla and rich chocolate, this Marble Cake is moist, visually stunning, and ideal for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Baking, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Cake

2.5 cups 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled Provides structure and texture.
2 tbsp 2 tbsp cornstarch Helps keep the cake tender and fluffy.
2 tsp 2 tsp baking powder Key leavening agent for perfect lift.
0.5 tsp 1/2 tsp baking soda Balances acidity and contributes to texture.
0.5 tsp 1/2 tsp salt Enhances flavor and tempers sweetness.
1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups milk, room temp Ensures a moist, rich crumb.
1.5 tbsp 1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar Creates a buttermilk effect.
0.5 cups 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp Brings rich flavor.
0.33 cups 1/3 cup vegetable oil Keeps the cake moist.
1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar Adds sweetness and tenderness.
3 large 3 large eggs, room temp Essential for binding and moisture.
2 tsp 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Provides comforting flavor.
0.25 cups 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder Adds depth of chocolate flavor.
1 tsp 1 tsp black cocoa powder (optional) Intensifies chocolate flavor.

For the Chocolate Buttercream

5 tbsp 5 tablespoons whole milk, room temp Creates silky buttercream.
1.5 cups 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temp Ensures creamy frosting.
4 cups 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted Sweetens frosting.
1 cup 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted Adds chocolate flavor.
1 pinch Pinch of salt Balances sweetness.
3-4 tbsp 3-4 tbsp milk To reach desired consistency.
1 tsp 1 tsp pure vanilla extract Rounds out sweetness.

Method

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10-inch bundt pan or a standard loaf pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a measuring cup, combine the milk and white vinegar. Let it stand for a few minutes to sour.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, vegetable oil, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Slowly mix in the flour mixture and the soured milk, alternating between the two and ending with the flour.

Baking

Divide the batter into two bowls, sift in the cocoa and black cocoa powder into one bowl, mixing until incorporated.
Using a ladle, spoon alternating amounts of the vanilla and chocolate batters into the prepared pan. Swirl gently with a knife.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.

Frosting

In a bowl, beat together the room-temperature butter and sifted cocoa powder, gradually adding in sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough milk to reach desired consistency.
Once the cake is cool, spread the frosting on top.

Notes

Store leftover Marble Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days or freeze for up to three months. Serve warm for a more indulgent experience.