How to Make a Perfect Marble Cake

Marble cake is a delightful treat that combines the richness of chocolate and the simplicity of vanilla in a visually stunning swirl. This classic dessert is not just famous for its aesthetic appeal but also for the harmonious blend of flavors that appeal to both chocolate and vanilla lovers. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of making a perfect marble cake from scratch, including detailed instructions and measurements in both U.S. and metric units. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this guide will help you achieve a moist, tender, and beautifully marbled cake that’s sure to impress at any gathering.

Marble Layer Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

Vanilla batter

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 6 egg whites
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk, room temperature
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cacao batter

• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 egg whites
• 1/8 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Chocolate fudge swirl

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¼ cup whipping cream, room temperature

Frosting

• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup whipping cream, divided
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp brewed coffee

Preparation Directions

Vanilla batter directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray four 5×12 inch cake pans with non-stick baking spray and lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
• Add the butter into de dry ingredients and mix on low speed. Mix until looks like sand.
• Pour the egg whites, mix on low until incorporated, then add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated.
• Pour 2/3 of the batter into a separate bowl and set aside.

Cacao batter directions

• In the remaining batter, add baking cacao, sugar, egg whites, buttermilk, and baking powder. Mix on low speed until combined.

Chocolate fudge swirl directions

• Combine the chocolate chips, butter, and whipping cream in a heatproof bowl. Melt stirring until smooth.

Layer cake directions

• Alternate spoonful of cacao and vanilla cake batter into the prepared pans. Divide equally.
• Add small drops of the chocolate swirl on top. Drag with a spatula horizontal and vertical lines to create a marbled pattern.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Let to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Frosting directions

• Beat the butter on a medium speed with a paddle attachment until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Add the vanilla extract, salt, and mix for 1 minute.
• Slowly add the powdered sugar, mix on low speed until combined, then add the ¼ cup whipping cream and continue to mix for 2-3 minutes.
• Place 1 cup of vanilla frosting into a separate bowl and set aside.
• Mix in cacao powder, brewed coffee, and ¼ cup whipping cream.

Assembling directions

• Place the first cake layer and spread the dark chocolate. Repeat with each cake layer alternating with the dark chocolate cream. Cover the edges with chocolate frosting, then refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Decorate the cake alternating with swirl of chocolate and vanilla frosting.
• Put the cake in the fridge for 2 hours, then slice and serve it.

Tips for the Perfect Marble Cake

• Ingredient temperature: Ensure all your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature to achieve a smooth batter.
• Batter consistency: Both batters should be similar in consistency for better marbling. Add a little more hot water if the chocolate batter is too thick.
• Swirling technique: Use a light hand when swirling the batters. Overdoing it can mix the batters too much, causing the marble effect to disappear.
• Baking time: Oven temperatures can vary, so check your cake a few minutes before the stated baking time. A perfectly baked marble cake should feel firm to the touch and pull away slightly from the edges of the pan.