Marble Cake Recipe

The Most Heavenly Marbled Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Bake

Baking a delightful marble cake brings pure joy to any kitchen adventure.

Swirls of chocolate and vanilla dance together in perfect harmony.

Mixing colors and flavors creates a mesmerizing visual treat that captivates everyone.

Soft, moist layers promise an irresistible dessert experience.

Each slice reveals a stunning pattern that makes people smile.

Rich ingredients combine to craft something truly magical.

You’ll want to slice into this stunning creation and savor every delectable moment.

Why Mary Berry Marble Cake Is Always A Hit

Why Mary Berry Marble Cake Is Always A Hit
  • Craft Stunning Swirls: Create a gorgeous marbled pattern that turns this cake into an eye-catching dessert perfect for impressing guests or making ordinary days feel special.
  • Master Simple Baking: Beginner bakers can confidently tackle this recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, requiring minimal technical skills.
  • Dress Up for Celebrations: Elevate any gathering with this beautiful cake that works wonderfully for birthdays, afternoon tea, potlucks, or weekend family treats.
  • Versatile Flavor Delight: Enjoy the delicious combination of chocolate and vanilla in one slice, satisfying different taste preferences with a single showstopping dessert.

What’s In Mary Berry Marble Cake

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides moisture and flavor to the cake.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
  • Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient for the cake.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the batter.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Milk, Vanilla: Enhance the cake's moisture and provide a subtle, sweet flavor.
Chocolate Components:
  • Cocoa Powder, Water: Create the distinctive dark marble effect and add deep chocolate flavor.
Decorative Ingredients:
  • Icing Sugar, Milk, White Chocolate: Form a sweet glaze and decorative topping for the finished cake.
Additional Baking Ingredients:
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.

How To Bake Mary Berry Marble Cake

How To Bake Mary Berry Marble Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 160°C (Fan 140°C, Gas Mark 3). Prepare a loaf pan by greasing it thoroughly and lining with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Smooth Cake Base

Grab your mixing bowl and combine:
  • Soft butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Fresh eggs
  • Whole milk
  • Pure vanilla extract

Blend these ingredients until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.

Step 3: Divide and Color the Batter

Split the cake mixture into two separate bowls. In one portion, whisk cocoa powder with water to create a rich chocolate section.

Step 4: Layer the Batters

Carefully spoon alternating dollops of vanilla and chocolate batters into the prepared loaf pan. Use a knife to create gentle swirling patterns for a marbled effect.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the cake rises beautifully and feels firm when touched.

Step 6: Cool and Rest

Remove from oven and let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: Prepare Decadent Chocolate Frosting

Melt butter and mix with:
  • Cocoa powder
  • Milk
  • Powdered sugar

Stir until you achieve a smooth, glossy icing.

Step 8: Decorate and Finish

Spread the chocolate icing over the cooled cake. Drizzle with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch.

Step 9: Set and Serve

Allow the icing to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving your stunning marble cake.

Smart Tips For Mary Berry Marble Cake

  • Choose Quality Cocoa: Use high-quality dark cocoa powder for rich, deep chocolate flavor in the marbled sections.
  • Swirl Gently: Create beautiful marble patterns by using a skewer or knife to lightly drag through batters without overmixing.
  • Check Moisture Level: Insert a skewer into cake's center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs to ensure perfect baking.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature before mixing to help batter blend smoothly and rise evenly.
  • Prevent Sticking: Line loaf tin with parchment paper extending over sides for easy cake removal and clean slicing.

Fun Swirls For Mary Berry Marble Cake

  • Gluten-Free Marble Cake: Replace regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Marble Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or applesauce, use plant-based milk, and swap butter with coconut oil.
  • Low-Sugar Marble Cake: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, reduce overall sweetness while maintaining cake's texture.
  • Chocolate Orange Marble Cake: Add orange zest to vanilla batter and mix orange extract into chocolate portion for a citrusy flavor profile.

Tasty Pairings For Mary Berry Marble Cake

  • Pair with Rich Espresso: Dark, intense espresso cuts through the cake's sweetness, complementing both vanilla and chocolate layers with its robust flavor profile.
  • Match with Vanilla Custard: Creamy, smooth custard enhances the cake's texture, providing a silky counterpoint to the marble cake's dense crumb and adding extra indulgence.
  • Create a Berry Contrast: Fresh raspberries or strawberries bring a tart brightness that beautifully balances the cake's rich chocolate and vanilla notes, adding a refreshing element to each bite.
  • Serve with Cream Liqueur: A smooth Irish cream or hazelnut liqueur provides a luxurious accompaniment, echoing the cake's decadent chocolate undertones and creating a sophisticated dessert experience.

How To Store Mary Berry Marble Cake Properly

  • Store covered marble cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it moist and fresh.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Separate slices with parchment paper, place in freezer-safe container, and freeze for quick individual servings up to 1 month.
  • Warm refrigerated cake at room temperature for 30 minutes, or microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring out rich flavors.

Questions On Mary Berry Marble Cake Explained

  • What is marbling in a cake?

Marbling is a technique where two different colored batters are swirled together to create a beautiful, random pattern inside the cake when sliced.

  • How do I get a perfect marble effect?

Pour the vanilla and chocolate batters alternately into the tin, then use a skewer or knife to gently swirl them together without overmixing.

  • Can I use different flavors for marbling?

Yes, you can experiment with other flavors like adding coffee to one batter or using different extracts to create unique color and taste combinations.

  • Why did my marble cake layers blend together?

This happens when you overmix the batters while swirling. Always use a light hand and make minimal, gentle swirls to maintain distinct color separation.

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Marble Cake Recipe

Marble Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 65-75 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Indulgent marble cake swirls rich chocolate and vanilla flavors into a mesmerizing dessert that promises pure delight. Silky layers of contrasting batters create a delectable masterpiece you’ll savor with each perfectly moist bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 225 grams (8 ounces) butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 225 grams (8 ounces) caster sugar
  • 275 grams (10 ounces) self-raising flour
  • 2 level teaspoons baking powder

Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 112 level tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons hot water
  • 25 grams (1 ounce) butter
  • 15 grams (0.5 ounces) cocoa powder, sifted
  • 25 grams (1 ounce) white chocolate, melted

Additional Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tablespoon milk
  • 100 grams (4 ounces) icing sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 160°C (fan 140°C, gas mark 3) and prepare a loaf tin with grease and parchment paper.
  2. Create a smooth, homogeneous mixture by thoroughly combining butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer.
  3. Separate the batter into two equal portions, then introduce cocoa powder and water into one half to create a chocolate-tinted variation.
  4. Carefully layer the two batters into the prepared loaf tin, alternating between light and chocolate batters to create a marbled effect.
  5. Gently swirl the batters using a skewer or knife to achieve an intricate pattern without overmixing.
  6. Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the cake rises and feels firm when touched.
  7. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. Prepare the icing by melting butter and blending it with cocoa powder, milk, and icing sugar until smooth and glossy.
  9. Once cooled, generously spread the chocolate icing over the cake’s surface.
  10. Drizzle melted white chocolate in a decorative pattern across the icing for visual appeal.
  11. Allow the icing to set entirely before slicing and serving the marble cake.

Notes

  • Achieving the perfect marble effect requires gentle swirling with a skewer or knife, creating elegant chocolate and vanilla swirls without overmixing.
  • Room temperature ingredients help create a smoother, more consistent batter that blends effortlessly and rises evenly during baking.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the cake maintains its tender texture.
  • Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie dessert that still delivers delightful flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Western

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 393 kcal
  • Sugar: 34 g
  • Sodium: 184 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 96 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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