Marble Cake
User Reviews
4.9
Marble Cake
Description
The Marble Cake recipe layers softened butter, avocado oil, and sugar creamed together, then incorporates eggs and vanilla extract for structure and flavor. The dry blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt is gently folded alternately with buttermilk, preserving tenderness in the crumb. Finely chopped semisweet chocolate is melted and swirled into the batter, creating characteristic marbling visible after baking in round cake pans at 350°F.
The texture is moist and tender with a balance of deep chocolate notes and vanilla undertones. The cake is completed with a chocolate buttercream frosting made of semisweet chocolate chips, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream, providing a smooth, creamy topping that complements the marbled interior.
This cake pairs well with coffee or tea and can be served as a centerpiece dessert. Proper measuring and gentle mixing are emphasized to avoid dense or dry results. Baking on the center rack and using a toothpick test ensures even baking and moist texture.
To store, keep the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to five days, though refrigeration may slightly dry the cake. The recipe also notes substitutions such as cake flour and offers tips on avoiding overmixing and oven temperature issues.
Ingredients
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate finely chopped, bar
- ½ cup butter softened, unsalted
- ½ cup avocado oil or vegetable or canola oil
- 1 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg room temperature preferred
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cup buttermilk room temperature preferred
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (see post for more frosting options)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature, unsalted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and generously grease and flour two 8" round cake pans (you may instead use 9" pans, just keep in mind you will need to bake the cake for about 5 minutes less than indicated). Set aside.
- Place chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well, and then return to microwave and heat in 15-second increments, stirring well in between, until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
- Using an electric or stand mixer, cream together butter, oil, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 30 seconds on high speed).
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pause as needed to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Using a spatula and gently hand-mixing, alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter/oil batter, starting and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix!
- Pour ⅓-½ of the batter into a separate bowl and add chocolate mixture. Stir until completely combined and batter is evenly chocolate.
- Alternate adding vanilla and chocolate batter to each pan, evenly distributing batter into each pan. Use a knife to swirl for marbled appearance.
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean but with a few moist crumbs (do not over-bake or the cake will be dry, you want there to be a few crumbs).
- Allow cake to cool for 15 minutes before carefully inverting onto cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting¹
- In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips at 15 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until chips are completely melted. Set aside and allow to cool slightly (about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally).
- Cream room temperature butter with an electric mixer. Stir in slightly cooled chocolate and beat well.
- Gradually add sugar, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl occasionally.
- Sprinkle in salt and vanilla extract, stir well.
- Gradually add heavy cream, increase speed to high and beat for 1 minute.
- Spread a thick layer of frosting over the top of one cake round and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Top with second cake round and evenly frost cake. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Use gentle folding with a spatula when combining wet and dry ingredients to keep the cake tender.
- Monitor oven temperature with a thermometer to prevent overbaking or drying out the cake.
- Test doneness with a toothpick; it should come out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate up to five days, noting refrigeration can dry the cake.
- Cake flour can replace all-purpose flour using 3 cups plus 6 tablespoons to maintain proper texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 770 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 770kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 84g | 28% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 256mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 337mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 55g | 110% |
| Vitamin A | 901IU | 18% |
| Calcium | 111mg | 11% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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