Introduction
Zebra cake is a delightful and visually stunning dessert that combines the richness of chocolate and the lightness of vanilla in a beautiful striped pattern. This eye-catching cake is perfect for any celebration and is relatively easy to make. With its unique design, zebra cake is a sure way to impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your dessert table.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
Flour: 2 cups
Sugar: 1 ½ cups
Baking powder: 2 ½ teaspoons
Salt: ½ teaspoon
Butter: ½ cup (softened)
Eggs: 4 large
Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons
Milk: 1 cup
Cocoa powder: ½ cup
Prep Time
The prep time for zebra cake is approximately 20 minutes. This includes gathering all the ingredients, preparing the batter, and setting up your baking pans.
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook time is around 30-35 minutes, depending on your oven. The total time for making this zebra cake will be about 1 hour, including prep and baking. This recipe yields one 9-inch round cake, which can be serving around 8-10 people.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Baking Pans
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Beat the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
Divide the Batter
Once the batter is smooth, divide it evenly into two separate bowls. Add cocoa powder to one bowl and mix until well combined. Leave the other bowl as is for the vanilla batter.
Create the Zebra Pattern
To create the zebra pattern, spoon alternate dollops of the vanilla and chocolate batter into the center of the prepared cake pans. Start with the vanilla batter, then add chocolate batter on top, repeating until all batter is used.
Bake the Cakes
Place the filled cake pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cakes
Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. After that, turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost the Cake
Once the cakes are completely cool, you can frost them with your favorite frosting. Layer and decorate as desired to highlight the zebra pattern.
Notes
Ingredient Temperature
Make sure all your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for the best texture.
Cocoa Powder
Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer flavor in the chocolate batter.
Storage
Store the frosted zebra cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the cake with fresh fruits or whipped cream to complement the flavors.
