Marble Cake

Adapted from this recipe, this marble cake is simple but delicious, especially with ice cream!

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Using a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating until combined. Mix in vanilla.

Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Set aside 1/3 of the batter.

In a bowl, mix cocoa and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water with a rubber spatula until smooth. 

Add the cocoa mixture to the reserved cake batter and mix until well combined.

Spoon batters into prepared pan in two layers, alternating spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate to create a checkerboard pattern. To create marbling, run a butter knife through the batters in a swirling motion.

Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until a toothpick comes out clean, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, then take the cake out of the pan and continue to let it cool on the rack.

The design inside will be a pleasant surprise!