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Zebra Cake Recipe (The Classic)
The Zebra Cake Recipe features a visually striking sponge cake created by alternating spoonfuls of vanilla and cocoa batter in a 7-inch pan, producing a stripe pattern reminiscent of a zebra's coat. The batter combines eggs, butter, sugar, sour cream, and leavening agents with cocoa powder for the chocolate portion. The cake bakes to a moist, tender crumb with a balance of sweet and chocolate flavors.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
12
servings
Calories:
595 kcal
Course:
Dessert, Cake
Cuisine:
American, Russian
Ingredients
Zebra Sponge Cake
- 5 egg
- 1 3/4 cup sugar
- 100 grams butter room temperature, unsalted
- 7 oz sour cream
- 1/3 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Soaking Zebra Cake
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Cake Cream
- 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Zebra Sponge Cake
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter with 3/4 cup of sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, whisk the eggs with 1 cup of sugar.
- Add the butter mixture into the egg mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the sour cream mixture into the egg and butter mixture.
- Working slowly, add the flour into the batter until well-combined. Next, split the batter in half in two separate bowls. Add cacao powder to one of the bowls to create the chocolate cake and whisk until well-combined.
- Spray a 7-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Alternating the different colors of batter, place two tablespoon of batter at a time into the cake pan until you run out. This will create the zebra stripe effect.
- Bake the cake at 350°F for 40 minutes. To check if the cake is done, stick a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it's ready. Once the cake completely cools at room temperature, slice it into 2-3 equal sized layers with a serrated knife.
Cup of Yum
Soaking Zebra Cake
- Soak each cake layer with about 1/2 cup of whipping cream (use a squirt bottle if you have one).
Cake Cream
- Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together just until it reaches stiff peaks.
- Apply the cream between each layer and use the remaining cream to frost the outside of the cake.
Chocolate Ganache
- In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Next, pour it over the chocolate chips in a medium size bowl and stir the mixture until smooth. Give the ganache a couple of minutes to cool.
- Apply the ganache all over the top of the cake. If you wish, decorate the top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or whatever else you'd like. Eat immediately or let the cake set overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories
595kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
38g
(58%)
Saturated Fat
23g
(115%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
170mg
(57%)
Sodium
153mg
(6%)
Potassium
249mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
40g
(80%)
Vitamin A
1220IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
94mg
(9%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 595
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 595kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 170mg | 57% |
| Sodium | 153mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 249mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 1220IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.