Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chocolate Vanilla Marble cake

Cakes are cosmopolitan. Some of the earliest references of cakes are found in ancient Roman history, making it obvious that cakes have been around for a long while. Therefore, it should not have surprised me when I saw marble cake, a regular feature from Kerala bakeries, doing the rounds in blogosphere. Where this cake originated is probably like the age old dispute of ‘What came first, the egg or the chick.’ If Someone asked where did marble cake originate, we will all probably have a different answer. But if one of you have a genuine answer I will be interested to hear from you.

Marble Cake

The universality of cakes, and how far and wide it has reached, continues to fascinate me. I mean, I can’t get over that I grew up seeing marble cakes in bakeries in Kottayam, Kerala? In fact, this fancy looking cake is the most commonly available one in bakeries back home. I remember how the marble pattern caught my attention first, and it continues to get my heart go skippy. Actually, the cakes from the bakeries are overly sweet and over-powered with vanilla flavor,but the pattern was eye-catching and I still remember them because of it. I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be able to bake a perfect marble cake which tastes as good as it looks. Below you will find the recipe to make this cake with a blend of sugar and vanilla which is proportionate to keeping your tongue swirling around more than what your body needs.

Marble Cake


I tried different recipes from the internet before reaching the recipe I like most. One of the greatest inspirations and the best recipe I found was from Archana's blog

A little, but significant something else that I have to say about marble cake is it is quite fancy even without frosting. This is especially a blessing for a busy mom like me. For example, if I want to bake a cake for a special occasion birthday, anniversary or festival and have not enough time, I can whip up a marble cake which will hold its own to any decorated fancy- pansy cake.


Marble Cake


With Easter around the corner, you will agree it’s most appropriate to share something special with you! Have it with tea or as a dessert, but remember to say ‘gosh this pattern is so pretty!’ Well, at least for my sake.


Ingredients:

Butter- 1/2 cup(110-115grams )
Cake flour(not self rising)- 1 3/4 cup
Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
Sugar- 1 cup
Eggs- 3
Pure vanilla extract- 2 tsp
Buttermilk/Milk- 3/4 cup
Boiling water- 4 Tbsp
Dark (dutch processed) cocoa powder-1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp


Method:

1. Preheat the oven t0 350 degree F. Grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Beat butter and sugar well, until it turns light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add vanilla extract and mix again. Scrape down the sides as needed.
6. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour, and mix well after each addition.
7. Mix boiling water and cocoa powder to blend without lumps.
8. Take out 1/4 th of the batter mixture into another bowl. Mix cocoa into it.
9. Spoon both the batters alternatively making a checkerboard. Pour them in 2 layers. (Just like Archana suggested use a big spoon for the white batter and small spoon for the chocolate batter)
10. When you are done tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to get rid of the air bubbles trapped inside and to remove the space between the batters.
11. For making the marbling effect make a couple of swirls from the top of the pan to the other end.
12. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
13. Take out the cake and cool it while still in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to cool on a wire rack.
14. This cake can be stored in an air tight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Contributor: Namitha


Recipe adapted from : Archana's blog and here

45 comments:

  1. Awesome looking cake with melt in mouth texture....Great clicks too

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  2. Thakarthu!!!! vakkukal illa chechi.totally adipoli!!

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  3. Looks absolutely superb and colorful :)

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  4. Nice !! Just scrolled thru your other recipes and found some yumm ones !! When you have time ... do check out my blog ( just started) mostly healthy recipes since it is Nutrition blog !
    suesnutritionbuzz.blogspot.com

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  5. Lovely marble cake.. love your clicks..

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  6. Hey Nami this is awesome, search for good marble cake ends for me too, cos this looks just perfect.

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  7. Excellent clicks, as always! The cake is perfectly swirled.

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  8. sinfully tempting, Namitha!!! YUM

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  9. Looks gorgeous cake dear, adipoli.

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  10. that does look gorgeous ..... susan

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  11. wow...awesome marble cake...looks so yummy!!!...

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  12. Awesome marble cake, i am in love with them.

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  13. This looks decadent and delicious .

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  14. Marble cake is my fav ttoooo, Adipoli aytund ketto :)

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  15. What a moist and scrumptious cake! My son who is looking at it is asking if its his favorite entenmann's marble cake..He He.

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  16. moist and super delicious!...loved marbled cake from childhood!
    Smitha
    Smitha's Spicy Flavors

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  17. Was just planning to make this ....this looks lovely.

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  18. Cake looks heavenly. Can't take my eyes off it.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  19. One of my most fav- loved the marbling effect you got!
    US Masala

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  20. Marble cake is one of my favorite cakes. I love the combination of the vanilla and chocolate flavors. Yours looks very pretty and delicious:)

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  21. The cake is marvellous and beautiful...

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  22. That looks super delicious and also a so beautiful to look at.

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  23. Thats the Perfect Marble Cake...Loved the Awesome Clicks....

    http://www.panchamrutham.blogspot.com/

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  24. looks great! I will try this recipe today.Thans dear:)

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  25. Love the marble cake.. n beginning of the post very well written..

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  26. namitha...this looks divine n' the texture looks like it is just perfect....i have a doubt though....how do you take half a cup of butter...do u mean melted butter? you know how we get butter here rite...its a slab...so i'm always worried i'm getting the wrong measurement when i try to take cup measurements for butter.:(...would really appreciate ur help...

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  27. perfect marble cake...loved the dark chocolaty colour against the vanilla background.

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  28. Amazing work Nami... njanum kore try chythittunde.. But was never satisfactory.. atleast for myself..

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  29. Perfect looking marble cake....beautiful cake

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  30. Thanks for all the compliments,guys :-)
    Miri: One cup is 227 grams of butter or half a pound. So, half a cup can hold about 110 - 115 grams of butter. Hope this helps. Thanks for mentioning this. Now I have added this conversion in the post too :D

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  31. Hey Namitha....the cake i made yesterday also asked for half a cup of butter...n' i was so confused...then i saw it on ur post too n' thgt you would be the perfect person to help me out...:)...thank you for clarifying...:)

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  32. Looks very tempting!! I am planning to make one too but an eggless version :)

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  33. Love your blog.. amazing posts and pictures. happy to follow you.
    Do stop be mine when time permits
    Thanks..

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  34. Aghhh perfect with a cup of coffee! Pass few slices dear...am craving for this now. Looks fantabulous!

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  35. hey perfect marble cake....wud love it with coffee

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  36. Ente Nami, ethu adipoli aayittundu..So perfect and yummy! Njan marble cake ethu blogil kandalum bookmark cheyyarundu pakshe undakkiyal shariyakillenne urappullathu kondu, try cheythittilla :)

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  37. Lovely looking cake. Turned out perfect for u... YUM!

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  38. i can see the softness and gorgeous

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