- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Milk to Butter Mixture: Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
3. Create Chocolate Batter:
- Prepare Cocoa Paste: In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder with boiling water until smooth.
- Mix Some Batter with Cocoa: Take about one-third of the cake batter and mix it with the cocoa paste until well combined.
4. Marble the Cake:
- Spoon Batters into Pan: Spoon dollops of vanilla and chocolate batter alternately into the prepared cake pan. Continue until all batter is used.
- Create Marbling Effect: Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl the two batters together, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Bake the Cake:
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Optional Glaze or Dusting:
- Powdered Sugar: Dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar for a simple finish.
- Chocolate Glaze: Alternatively, drizzle with a chocolate glaze for extra richness.
Tips for Success:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure all ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and milk, are at room temperature to ensure an even mixing.
- Swirling the Batter: Don’t over-swirl the batter as it may mix the batters too thoroughly and lose the marble effect.
- Checking Doneness: Depending on your oven, the baking time might vary. Start checking the cake 5-10 minutes before the stated baking time.
This homemade marble cake is not only visually appealing with its beautiful swirls but also delicious, with the perfect balance of vanilla and chocolate flavors. Serve it as is or enhance it with your favorite toppings for a special occasion or an everyday treat.