Easy Marble Bundt Cake (One Batter!)

Learn how to make homemade chocolate and vanilla Marble Bundt Cake with one batter and one bundt pan! This moist and fluffy cake is even better decorated with powdered sugar or melted chocolate, but the topping options are endless. Perfect for potlucks, birthday parties, or anytime you need a fancy yet easy dessert!

I’m really big on homemade bundt cakes. They are easy to make plus they have a built in decoration! This particular cake may be the best because it combines a delectable vanilla bundt cake and delicious chocolate bundt cake into one beautiful dessert!

Before we start baking, let’s break down the basics of marble cake. At the heart of every marble cake is a striped, marble-like design created by swirling two different colored cake batters in one pan. As for the flavor, you can “marble” any two cakes together, but this marble cake showcases vanilla and chocolate. You can see how I used the marble effect to in these marble cupcakes.

In pastry school, we were graded on presentation, so pretty cakes are something I tend to think about. That said, this marble cake only looks like it’s hard to make but you really do not need special skills to recreate this chocolate vanilla masterpiece.

This cake will be your go to because you get the best of both worlds in every bite -and you only have to mix one batter!

If bundt cakes are your thing too, definitely try this chocolate chip bundt cake, or this cinnamon bundt cake! Also make sure to read up on how to easily get a bundt cake out of a pan. These are tips that help me come out with a perfect bundt cake every time!

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE

• It’s a 2-4-1! You get two classic cake flavors in one mouthwatering cake.
• It’s failproof. Marbling cake batters is easier than you may think.
• The texture. The texture is pleasantly dense with a moist-fluffy crumb.
• It’s a family favorite. Sharing a marble cake with friends and family is never a bad idea. Everyone loves it!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

• Butter – The best cakes start with butter, but it must be at room temperature. If you’re short on time, I have a whole post on how to soften butter quickly.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar to sweeten the cake batter.
• Vegetable oil & eggs – This pair of wet ingredients is essential in adding moisture and creating structure and stability. Make sure your eggs (and butter!) are at room temperature, or the batter won’t bake as well.
• All-purpose flour – AP flour is the framework of the batter, creating a strong, fluffy cake.
• Baking powder and baking soda – The leavening agents. They work together to make the batter expand and rise into a soft and fluffy cake.
• Salt – Salt also contributes to how cakes rise while making everything sweet taste sweeter!
• Buttermilk – Incorporating buttermilk into cake batter gives a delightfully subtle tangy taste and makes the cake extra moist and tender.
• Vanilla extract – For added sweet and creamy flavors. Quality pure vanilla extract is best here.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Stir cocoa powder into a portion of the vanilla batter and voila you have the chocolate part of the cake!

HOW TO Make a Marble BUNDT CAKE

Prepare to bake a bundt cake: Preheat your oven to 350F and spray a 10-cup bundt pan generously with baking spray.

Combine wet and dry ingredients separately: In a mixing bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream softened butter and sugar on low-medium speed. Combine with vegetable oil, then add one egg at a time and mix until smooth. Mix the flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a separate bowl.

Make vanilla cake batter: Combine the buttermilk and vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup and set aside. Alternate between adding in the dry ingredients with the buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

Make chocolate cake batter: Transfer one cup of the vanilla cake batter to a separate mixing bowl. Add add the cocoa powder and a little milk. Stir to combine.

Pour and swirl cake batters: Add a thin layer of vanilla batter to the bottom of the bundt pan. Using an ice cream scoop, add scoops of chocolate batter, then top with vanilla and continue until the batter is used up. Then take a butter knife and delicately swirl the two batters together.

Bake and cool: Place in the oven and bake until the cake is set and the sides pull away from the pan. Cool in the pan before turning it onto a wire rack and cooling completely.

Decorate: Sift powdered sugar over the top and garnish with fresh fruit or drizzle extra melted chocolate down the sides. Those are two of the MANY topping/frosting options you have to choose from.

TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS

• Ensure all refrigerated ingredients are at room temperature, so the cake bakes evenly.
• Take your time pouring each batter. Adding each flavor to the pan one ice-scream scoop at a time may seem tedious, but it results in a gorgeous, swirled checkerboard pattern.
• If possible, use a nonstick light-colored bundt cake as they distribute heat consistently, resulting in an evenly baked caked.
• When swirling, don’t go too crazy and swirl too much otherwise the batters will blend together. A thin knife works better than a skewer.

STORAGE AND FREEZING

Storing: If you do not plan to serve your marble cake immediately, hold off on toppings and garnishes and keep it in an airtight cake dome or wrapped securely in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freezing: You can also freeze the whole cake. Make sure it’s wrapped tightly in a couple of layers of plastic wrap and then foil. Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before decorating and serving.

FAQ

Can I substitute whole milk for buttermilk?

I don’t recommend using whole milk instead of buttermilk, but if you don’t have buttermilk, there’s a fun trick to make your own. First, measure 1 cup of whole milk, then remove one tablespoon and replace it with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes -and voila, buttermilk!

Can I bake this in a different pan?

Yes, but remember that this marble cake was tested for perfection in a 10-inch, 10-cup bundt pan. You can bake the batter in a different pan, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time accordingly.

How can you tell when marble cakes are finished baking?

The toothpick technique! Stick a toothpick in and if only a few loose dry crumbs come out, it’s done! You’ll also notice the sides pull away from the pan as it reaches doneness and if you touch it, it should feel firm.

Why is my marble cake dry?

Oh no! If your cake tastes dry, the cake was either over baked, or you used too much flour. Next time, measure your ingredients with precision using a kitchen scale. If you do not have a kitchen scale, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off.

WAYS TO ENJOY

I like keeping it simple with sifted powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or melted chocolate. Here are a few more ways to decorate a marbled cake.

• Brown Sugar Buttercream
• Chocolate Buttercream
• Caramel Buttercream Frosting
• Chantilly Cream
• Mascarpone Frosting