Baking · serves 2

Marble Cake

One batter, two colours, and the swirl looks harder than it is.

55 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups maida
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 170g soft butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Method

  1. Make a plain vanilla batter: cream butter and sugar, eggs one at a time, then fold in flour and milk.
  2. Split it in half. Mix cocoa and 2 tbsp warm milk into one half.
  3. Spoon alternate dollops of each batter into the tin, chequerboard style.
  4. Drag a knife through in one S-shaped motion. Once, maybe twice. Stirring it turns the whole thing brown.
  5. 180°C for 35-40 minutes.
  6. Cool in the tin 10 minutes.

Questions people ask about Marble Cake

How long does Marble Cake take?

About 55 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Marble Cake?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Marble Cake ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Marble Cake vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Marble Cake?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Marble Cake?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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