This classic Marble Cake blends rich chocolate and soft vanilla cake in one beautiful swirl. It’s simple to make from scratch, wonderfully moist, and perfect for any occasion. With just a few pantry ingredients, you can bake a cake that looks impressive and tastes even better!
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
½ cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients in batches, alternating with the milk, mixing just until combined.
Reserve ¾ cup of the batter in a separate bowl.
Stir the cocoa powder into the reserved batter until fully blended.
Pour the vanilla batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate batter over the top and swirl with a knife to create a marble pattern.
Bake for 28–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely before slicing.
Don’t overmix the swirl. A few gentle figure-eight motions are enough for a clean marble pattern.
Use room-temperature butter and eggs for a smoother batter and better rise.
Avoid overbaking. Remove the cake when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Add-ins like chocolate chips or a vanilla glaze make this cake extra special.