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    Broken Oven Baking » Recipes » Breads & Rolls

    Vanilla and Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake

    Published: Nov 15, 2022 by Kayla Burton · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe
    Marble Loaf Cake Pin

    This Marble Loaf Cake is a beautiful and deceptively easy chocolate and vanilla swirled pound cake! The classic flavor combination of vanilla and chocolate and the gorgeous swirls make this marble pound cake an absolute crowd-pleaser. It is moist with a tender, dense texture and is incredibly easy to make.

    Vanilla and chocolate swirled marble loaf cake.

    I love to make this vanilla and chocolate loaf cake with oil for an afternoon snack because it is sweet but not too sweet thanks to the buttermilk and pairs so well with coffee and tea. Because it uses oil, the marble coffee cake stays moist for days!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • How To Make This Marble Loaf Cake
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Storage
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • There's no need to make two separate batters - you'll just add some chocolate to half of the vanilla loaf cake batter!
    • You probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry already.
    • This vanilla and chocolate swirl loaf cake has a perfectly moist crumb.
    • It's great for an afternoon snack or for dessert!
    • You won't need to remember to soften any butter before making this moist marble cake recipe with oil.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make marble loaf cake.
    • This marble bread uses pantry staples including all purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking powder.
    • Instead of butter like many cakes use, this loaf cake uses vegetable oil which keeps it extra moist. You can use any other neutral flavored oil, like canola.
    • Buttermilk gives this cake a slight tang and helps balance out the sweetness.
    • ​​​​​​​Vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa powder flavor the vanilla chocolate marble loaf cake batter.

    See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • For extra chocolate flavor, mix in ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the chocolate cake batter and top the cooled cake with a chocolate ganache.
    • Make a chocolate covered strawberry variation on this loaf cake recipe by adding strawberry jam or freeze dried strawberry powder to the vanilla cake batter.
    • If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by mixing whole milk with a splash of vinegar. Or, substitute with whole milk kefir or slightly watered-down Greek yogurt.

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

    How To Make This Marble Loaf Cake

    Whisking flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

    Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder.

    Whisking eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract in a bowl.

    Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until light and fluffy then mix in the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.

    Folding wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

    Step 3: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.

    Vanilla and chocolate cake batters in two separate bowls.

    Step 4: Transfer half of the cake batter to a clean bowl (or reuse the wet ingredient bowl) and fold in the cocoa powder and hot water.

    Vanilla and chocolate cake batters swirled together in a loaf pan.

    Step 5: Alternately pour or scoop the vanilla batter and chocolate batters into a prepared loaf pan.

    A baked marble loaf cake in a pan.

    Step 6: Bake at 350°F until a toothpick comes out of the center clean.

    Expert Baking Tips

    1. Grease your loaf pan and then create a parchment paper sling so it your marble cake comes out of the pan clean.
    2. Using two spoons or two ice cream scoops (one for each batter) makes transferring the batter to the loaf pan easy and clean.
    3. Make an easy chocolate ganache to top off this marble loaf cake! Just heat ⅓ cup of heavy cream to a simmer, pour it over ¼ cup of high quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips, cover and let it sit for 5 minutes. Then, stir it with a spatula until it's smooth.

    Recipe FAQs

    What size loaf pan should I use?

    I use the USA Pan standard 1 pound loaf pan. It measures about 8.5x4.5 inches, so a 9x5 inch loaf pan will also work for this recipe.

    How do I get the marble effect?

    You will create a marble effect by alternating vanilla and chocolate batters in your loaf pan. You can also swirl the batters together using a skewer.

    How should I serve this loaf cake?

    It's delicious as is, but if you want to make it extra sweet and elegant, drizzle a chocolate ganache or vanilla glaze over the top!

    A fork cutting into a slice of marble loaf cake.

    Storage

    Room Temperature

    Store marble loaf cake in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Freezing Instructions

    This cake freezes very well! Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then store together in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

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    Did you try this recipe?
    Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @brokenovenbaking on Instagram & Facebook!

    📖 Recipe

    Vanilla and chocolate swirled marble loaf cake.

    Vanilla and Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake

    Kayla Burton
    Vanilla and chocolate flavors are swirled together in this marble loaf cake! This recipe is fluffy, delicious, and so easy to make!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save for LaterSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 245 kcal

    Equipment

    • Loaf pan 8.5x4.5 or 9x5 inches
    • Mixing bowls
    • Measuring spoons
    • Scale/measuring cups
    • Whisk
    • Spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour weighed in grams or spooned and leveled
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
    • ½ cup vegetable oil or other neutral oil
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons hot water

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Then, mix in the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.
    • Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until the flour streaks are all gone. Then, transfer half of the batter into a separate bowl and gently stir the cocoa powder and hot water into it.
    • Alternately spoon the vanilla and chocolate batters into the prepared loaf pan to create a marbled effect.
    • Bake on the middle rack until a toothpick comes out of the center clean (about 55-70 minutes). Let it cool for 10-20 minutes, then lift it out of the pan and move it to a wire cooling rack.

    Notes

    Storage: Store cooled marble loaf cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week or slice and freeze for 3 months.
    Nutrition: The provided nutrition information is an estimate, the calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 237mgPotassium: 92mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 78IUCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Kayla

    Hey, I'm Kayla! I'm a self-taught baker, recipe developer & food photographer in Chicago! This blog is a way for me to share recipes, tips, and everything I love related to baking & photography. If you have any questions or want to connect, I'd love to hear from you!
    About Kayla →

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