Go Back

Homemade Marble Loaf Cake Recipe

This Marble Loaf Cake is a classic homemade dessert featuring beautiful swirls of vanilla and chocolate batter. Moist, tender, and easy to make, it delivers bakery-quality results in under 90 minutes and is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 1 loaf
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup milk optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with milk if using, mixing just until combined.
  5. Divide batter, mixing cocoa powder into one-third of it.
  6. Alternate spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batter in the pan and gently swirl with a knife.
  7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Avoid overmixing to keep the loaf tender. Swirl gently for a defined marble pattern.