Zebra cake

Name: Zebra cake
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 2 ½ cups; Unsweetened cocoa powder 4 tbsp; Potato starch 1 cup; Butter at room temperature &frac23; cup; Milk at room temperature 0.8 cup; Baking powder 1.1 tbsp; Eggs (medium) at room temperature 6; Vanilla bean 1; Sugar 1.1 cups

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541

Calories per serving

Vegetarian

Energy Kcal 541
Carbohydrates g 75.7
of which sugars g 30.7
Protein g 11.5
Fats g 21.3
of which saturated fat g 11.56
Fiber g 2.2
Cholesterol mg 202
Sodium mg 112

Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Serving: 8
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Zebra cake is one of those sweets you just cannot resist grabbing a slice of. Seriously, look at its striking striped look that jumps right out of the pan. This zebra cake recipe is like a bit of kitchen magic—by alternating spoonfuls of chocolate and vanilla batter, you get those playful zebra stripes when you cut into it. For real. It is a beloved choice across Italy. Not specific to any one region, but pretty much found in kitchens everywhere as an easy treat to whip up with kids.

The real trick? It lies in how you layer the batters. Creating a cool pattern without any fancy techniques. Once it bakes, you end up with a cake that's not just visually appealing but also super tender and moist, practically melting in your mouth. Really, really good.

Whether it’s for breakfast or an afternoon snack, this cake really stands out. It’s the kind of chocolate vanilla cake that pairs perfectly with a glass of milk or coffee. And look, Italian families adore this marble cake recipe for its soft crumb and tasty mix of sweet vanilla with just a hint of cocoa. The whole process feels fun—from pouring the batter to discovering the surprise inside each slice. Plus, it’s easy to tweak. You know, if you want to experiment with other two-tone flavors, like adding a splash of orange zest or a hint of almond.

Many folks share tips for cake decorating as well, like dusting powdered sugar on top or drizzling a simple glaze. It's a golden chance for kids to get involved—since the batter stripes are a breeze to create. Whether you call it an easy zebra cake or just a fun homemade dessert, it’s a favorite that brings excitement to the table. Every bite gives you that classic mix of flavors and a soft, moist texture. And making it a striped cake that feels a bit special every time. This delicious treat is really a staple in Italian baking, perfect for making any gathering feel a little more festive.

How to prepare Zebra cake

To prepare the zebra cake, place the butter into chunks, sugar 1, and the vanilla bean seeds 2 in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer 3 to combine.

Now add the eggs 4 and continue beating with the mixer until you obtain a smooth mixture 5. Sift the flour 6, potato starch, and baking powder into the mixture using a sieve.

Continue mixing with the mixer 7, and once the dry ingredients are absorbed, pour in the milk 8 and mix one last time with the mixer 9.

Divide the batter into two bowls of equal weight 10, add the cocoa to one of the bowls 11, and mix again with the mixer 12 to incorporate it.

You will thus have a light and a dark batter 13. Grease a 9-inch diameter pan, pour a ladle of light batter in the center 14, and then a ladle of dark batter 15.

Continue pouring the alternating batters in the center, allowing them to spread naturally across the pan, until all the batter is used 16. Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 55-60 minutes. Once baked, remove the zebra cake from the oven 17, let it cool, then remove it from the pan 18.

Storage

Store the zebra cake at room temperature, preferably under a glass dome, for up to 2-3 days. You can freeze it after baking.

Advice

The two mixtures should have the same consistency and density; if not, thin out the thicker one with one or two tablespoons of milk (usually the cocoa one) to achieve the same consistency as the other batter.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Zebra cake

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Zebra cake

Storage

Advice

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