Orange & Chocolate Marble Cake
Chocolate & Orange Marble Cake
I remember my Mum making this as a treat for us, she would use a bundt tin to bake it in, which makes for a really attractive dessert when dusted with icing sugar. You could try it this way and fill the well in the centre with fresh fruits or chocolate, your preference!
Ingredients
250 g unsalted butter at room temperature
250 g granulated sugar
4 medium size eggs
250 g self-raising flour
Zest of one orange
2 vanilla pods (use essence or vanila powder as an alternative)
25 g cocoa powder
Method
1. Preheat Oven:
180 Degrees C/356 F/Gas Mark 4
Fan Ovens: 160 degrees C/325 F
2. Prepare a 22 cm round cake pan by greasing it and line the bottom OR grease and flour a 22cm bundt tin as we have done here.
3. Beat the softened butter with the sugar until you can see that all the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is a light and fluffy texture.
4. Next you add the eggs but do so one at a time, beating them in and making sure each one is fully mixed in before adding the next. You may find you have to scrape the mixture down the sides of the bowl every now and then if you are using a stand mixer so that everything is mixed thorougly together.
5. Once all the eggs are mixed in, add the orange zest and vanilla.
6. Take half of the flour and add it to the mixture, beating it in gently.
7. Then, gently fold in the remaining half of the flour using a spatula or metal spoon.
8. Take half of the mixture, place in a separate bowl and then fold in the sifted cocoa powder. Sometimes this makes the mixture a bit too dry, if this happens then just add a teaspoon or two of milk to loosen the mixture.
9. Take the other half of the mixture and pour it into the baking pan.
10. Pour the chocolate mixture into the pan and then, using a knife, stir the chocolate into the vanilla flavoured mixture to create the marbling effect.
11. Place in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes. You can tell it is done when a knofe or skewer comes out clean, with no uncooked mixture sticking to it.
12. Once cooked, allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before turning out.
13. Decorate with icing sugar, fruits, frosting, fruits, chocolates, whatever you want!
14. Eat & Enjoy.......
