Marble Pound Cake Loaf | How to Make Swirls In Cake

This old-fashioned marble pound cake is filed under my favorite summer-time snacking cake. That means it's the ideal cake, not just for summer picnics, camping trips and road trips, but also for bake sales, sleep-overs and midnight feasts. Baked in a loaf tin and cut into portable slices, a slice of this dense and moist, homemade marble loaf cake will keep everyone happily satisfied.

The thing I like best about this chocolate and vanilla marble cake is that it is not overly sweet; the slightly bitter chocolate cake batter balances out the sweeter vanilla batter nicely. 

And there are so many ways to enjoy this marble pound cake. My preference is to savor it without frosting, as an occasional treat along with a cold glass of milk before going to bed! (super simple!) However, it goes equally well with a side of fresh fruit and whipped cream (simple!). Or you can frost it with chocolate ganache icing to create a copy cat Starbucks marble pound cake that's the perfect complement to a hot cup of coffee. (slightly indulgent!). Or use it as a base for ice-cream and hot chocolate fudge (simply decadent!)  

How to Create the Marble Cake Effect- Tutorial

Look at how pretty the marbling effect is on a slice of cake. It's so easy (and fun!) to create these pretty ribbon-like swirls. So if you're wondering how do you make a marble cake pattern, read on for my step by step tips or watch my video tutorial.

• Spoon 2 spoons of white batter into the center of the loaf tin. On top of the white batter, add 2 spoonful's of brown batter. Continue to alternate white and brown batter, 2 spoonful's at a time, layering them one on top of the other.
• Allow the batters to spread naturally and slowly out into the loaf tin.
• To swirl the batters together. using a metal knife, cut into the batter in a smooth, slow back and forth motion along the entire length of the tin. Then turn the tin a quarter turn, and repeat this motion along the entire width of the tin to create a pretty marbled effect.
• Tap the tin twice on the counter top to displace any air bubbles that might have been created in this process.

Watch the video tutorial below to see how to create the marble cake pattern in a loaf pan. The trick is not to overdo swirling the two batters together or else you will end up with a muddy looking cake. 

Easy Marble Pound Cake Recipe

Portions- 11-12 slices

Ingredients:

☐ 3 eggs  (181.5g)
☐ 3/4 cup sugar (181.5g)
☐ 1 1/3 cup flour, spooned and leveled (181.5g)
☐ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
☐ 2/3 cup salted butter or 11 tablespoons (160g)
☐ 1 oz or 30g semi-sweet baking chocolate
☐ 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Step- by-Step Instructions:

 Step 1: Prep

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf tin with butter paper, grease and it and dust with flour.
• Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl placed in a pan of hot water. Set aside.
• Sift flour and baking powder together.

Step 2: Prepare the white batter

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla essence with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
• Then add the eggs slowly, one at a time and continue to beat.
• Then incorporate the flour mixture, a couple of spoonfuls at a time. Beat on low speed until all the flour is just about blended in. Don't overbeat.

Step 3: Prepare the brown batter

Pour half the white batter into the bowl of melted chocolate and stir well to blend the chocolate into the batter.

Step 4. Create the marble pattern

Spoon 2 spoons of white batter into the center of the loaf tin. On top of the white batter, add 2 spoonfuls of brown batter. Continue to alternate white and brown batter, 2 spoonfuls at a time, layering them one on top of the other Allow the batters to spread naturally and slowly out into the loaf tin.

To swirl the batters together. using a metal knife, cut into the batter in a smooth, slow back and forth motion along the entire length of the tin. Then turn the tin a quarter turn, and repeat this motion along the entire width of the tin to create a pretty marbled effect.

Tap the tin twice on the counter top to displace any air bubbles that might have been created in this process.

Step 5: Bake

Bake on the center rack of a pre-heated oven at 350°F for 55-60mins. until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes , then unmold and transfer to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, slice using a serrated knife.

Considering frosting your pound cake loaf? 

See how to make an easy, low calorie chocolate ganache.

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• Pretty Pink Cupcakes (How to Decorate Cupcakes like a Pro) 
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• Vanilla Rose Cupcakes Without Frosting

To see my other recipes click on 'Recipes' below.