Zebra Cake (Vegan Marble Cake)

This Vegan Zebra Cake combines a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake into one flashy Marble Cake. It’s easy to make from just one batter, and it’s topped with a simple Chocolate Ganache plus crunchy walnuts, making it even more delicious! This post contains a Step-by-Step tutorial, showing you how to create the Zebra look!

Fancy Marble Cake

Making this Zebra Cake is not only fun, but it’s also a great way to have two cakes at the same time. If you’re like me, you may have experienced the problem of not being able to decide between two delicious flavors. In this case, it’s chocolate and vanilla. Well, this marble cake definitely solves that problem because we simply bake a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake together, turning it into one delicious marble cake that everyone will love for sure!

Easy to make

Although this Zebra Cake looks super cool with its striped pattern, it’s actually easier to make than you’d think. This batter comes together in a matter of minutes. Really, all you need is just a measuring cup, a spoon, a whisk, two bowls, and a baking pan. Plus a few simple ingredients you may already have at home. How does that sound to you? Good? If so, let’s start making it!

Made from 1 batter

The chocolate cake batter is made from the vanilla cake batter. This means you don’t have to prepare two completely separate batters. Yay! Simply combine the dry and wet ingredients, making the vanilla batter. Then, separate half of the batter into another bowl. Stir in cocoa and a little bit of non-dairy milk to thin it out a bit, and presto, you now have your chocolate batter.

Zebra Look

To create a zebra pattern, simply layer the batters on top of each other. Start with a spoonful of the vanilla batter in the center, place a spoonful of the chocolate batter on top. Then alternate between the two until you’ve filled the pans. The batter will spread out on its own while layering and a marbled pattern will begin to form. However, it helps to give the pans a shake every now and then to level the batter off. Here’s a picture animation video showing you how to layer the batter:

Loaf, pound cake, bundt cake or round cake?

Often, a Zebra Cake is baked in a round pan or as a bundt cake, but I prefer using a loaf pan, making a classic pound cake. I find it’s the perfect shape to easily slice into portable pieces, which fit into any lunch box, so it’s perfect to take to work or university and school.

However, if you prefer using another type of pan, feel free to do so. Please always make sure to check the baking time because it varies depending on what kind of baking pan or size you use. The best method for checking baking time is doing a cake test by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the center of your cake. When it comes out almost clean, the cake should be done.
Oh, and by the way, in this post, you can find some tips on how to get a cake out of bundt pan easily.

I hope you’ll love this Zebra Cake. It is:

• Vegan
• Egg-less
• Dairy-free
• Very easy to make from 1 batter!
• Combines a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake
• Can be made gluten-free
• Can be baked in a round pan or bundt pan
• Topped with a Chocolate Ganache
• Decorated with Walnuts
• So delicious!

The perfect Vegan Cake for any occasion

This Zebra Cake is adapted from our family all-time favorite Marble Cake recipe we used to make in my home since childhood. I’ve just veganized it, making it eggless and dairy-free, without using butter and using neutral oil instead. It’s a great recipe that you can make any time when you want a fancy Cake with Zebra marbling to impress your guests. Even though I think everyone is quite familiar with this simple chocolate cake and vanilla cake combination, so it makes a delicious dessert, along with a cup of fresh nut milk or coffee.

If you’re looking for more delicious Vegan Cake Recipes, you can check out the recipes for my Best Vegan Chocolate Cake, Brownie Cheesecake, Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake, Poppy Seed Crumble Cheesecake or any of my other Recipes for Vegan Cheesecakes and Crumble Cakes.

And if you give this recipe a try, please let me know in the comments below how it turned out for you. Also, you can take a picture of it and tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka on Instagram, so I won’t miss your post! Happy baking! 😊

Zebra Marble Cake

This Vegan Zebra Cake combines a chocolate cake and a vanilla cake into one flashy Marble Cake. It’s easy to make from only one batter, and it’s topped with a simple Chocolate Ganache plus crunchy walnuts, making it even more delicious!

4.85 from 19 votes

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Course: Basics, Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack, Snacks

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Servings: 1 loaf

Ingredients

For the vanilla cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (312g) or gluten-free* if needed
• 4 1/2 tbsp cornstarch (35g) or 1 package vanilla pudding powder
• 1 tbsp soy flour optional
• 3/4 cup sugar (175g) or to taste
• 1 tbsp baking powder (12g)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda (3g) or sub 3/4 tsp more baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (300ml)
• 2/3 cup neutral oil (160ml) such as rapeseed or sunflower oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 lemon juice or 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• zest of 1/2 organic orange or lemon optional

For the chocolate cake

• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 4-5 tbsp non-dairy milk

For the Chocolate Frosting

• 100 g Vegan dark Chocolate chopped
• 3 tbsp non-dairy milk

Topping (optional)

• Walnuts or other nuts

Instructions

Marble Cake

• Preheat oven to 355˚F (180˚C). Grease a 9.5x4-inch (25x11cm) loaf pan and dust with flour. (The pan could be also a little bit smaller, such as 9“).
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, soy flour (if using), sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add to the well the non-dairy milk, oil, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and orange zest. Stir together just until combined.
• In a second large bowl, add half of the batter. Add the cocoa and about 5 tablespoons non-dairy milk. Stir well to mix.

Assemble the Cake (check the step-by-step tutorial in the text above)

• To create a swirly marbled zebra look*, use a separate tablespoon for each batter, and start to spoon 1 large spoonful of the vanilla batter into the center of the loaf pan. Then, spoon 1 large spoonful of the chocolate batter into the center of the vanilla batter you just placed in the pan. Continue alternating the batters on top of each other until both of the batters are used up. (The batter will spread out on its own and a marbled pattern will begin to form. It helps when you give the pan a shake every now and then to level the batter).
• Bake the cake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out almost clean.
• Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan, about 1 hour, then transfer it to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting

• Slowly, melt the chocolate over a water bath, stirring occasionally. Once it’s melted, add a bit of non-dairy milk, stirring to combine until smooth and creamy.
• Pour the chocolate cream over your cooled cake, spreading out evenly.
• Decorate with chopped walnuts or other nuts and toppings of choice.
• Slice it up and enjoy! 😊

Notes

• To make this cake GLUTEN-FREE, you can use a gluten-free flour blend.
• Soy flour is not necessary in this cake, however, I recommend using it if you have it at home.
• To make this cake reduced in sugar you can use a sugar substitute or coconut sugar.
• If you don’t have enough patience to create a zebra look that way, you could also simply pour the vanilla batter into the pan, followed by the chocolate batter. Then gently swirl through the batters, using a butter knife or small flat spatula to make a marble effect.
• Please read the text if you want to use another baking pan, such as a round pan or bundt cake pan.

Did you make this recipe?

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