Monday 26 April 2010

Zebra Cake

It's been ages since I've baked anything in my kitchen due to annual leave, work and life in general. I received a lovely dinner invitation and wanted to make something special for the host. I thought it would also be a nice celebration of my return to the kitchen. I saw this recently whilst food-blog surfing on baking bites and knew I absolutely had to make it.

It looked simple yet impressive which was exactly what I was aiming for. I was intrigued as to the method of creating the zebra stripes. I felt nervous trying it out and was convinced it wouldn't turn out and I'd have to make a marble cake instead.  Fortunately, it worked out well (apart from me using the wrong sized tin). Apologies for the photos as my camera battery died and I had to use the camera on my phone. I need to take a crash course on food photography anyway.

To digress a little, Lorraine@Not Quite Nigella blogged about 10 more things you should know about food bloggers. Maybe this is just me but I wonder if this should go on the list - cutting a slice of cake (made for someone else) so it can be photographed for your blog! I reassembled the cake before giving it away!

Start with ~3 tbsp plain batter

Add 3 tbsp chocolate batter on top

Add plain batter on top Keep going....

Isn't it beautiful?


Ingredients
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup sunflower oil
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

  • Preheat oven to 180C.
  • Grease a 23cm round cake tin and ideally line with parchment paper.
  • Beat eggs and sugar together until light and creamy.
  • Add milk, sunflower oil and vanilla extract. (Another recipe I read only added vanilla extract to the plain batter but I added mine at this point)
  • Add the sifted dry ingredients (flour, baking powder) and mix well.
  • Divide the batter into 2 equal halves.
  • Add cocoa powder to 1 half and leave the other plain.
  • Put 3 tbsp of the plain batter in the centre of the pan and let it spread on its own.
  • Put 3 tbsp of chocolate batter in the center of the vanilla. It will push out the other batter and, as it sits for a moment, will also spread itself.
  • This is important - do NOT tilt the pan or put less batter subsequently or 'help' the batter spread which I was tempted to do as I wasn't sure if it would turn out. It really does work on its own.
  • Continue alternating the batter until all the batter has been used up (refer to pictures)
  • Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out to cool completely on a wire rack.
PS - I've just ordered a KitchenAid mixer and am anxiously waiting it's delivery - full post on that when it arrives. Now what shall I make to christen my KitchenAid? Suggestions anyone?

13 comments:

  1. Wow! What a gorgeous effect! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  2. dude that is awesome! you may not have a green thumb in the garden but you have the golden glove in the kitchen my dear! I am so envious!
    I am glad your back missed ya!
    xoxo
    KC

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  3. Haha how funny, great minds really do think alike! Your Zebra cake looks fantastic and thankyou for the shoutout about 10 things about food bloggers! :D

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  4. The cake is really neat, I love the technique, simple and impressive! Hooray on your kitchen aid!!!! Are you beyond excited? You should be :) As far as what to christen it with I recommend bread or some other thick batter/dough that's hard to do in a subpar machine :) Put that work horse to work!

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  5. Your cake is gorgeous and I love the step by step photos. I've always wondered how to make one of these, so may try it with my next marble cake.
    :)

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  6. Definitely a gorgeous cake. Hope the KitchenAid arrives soon - you won't regret it.

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  7. What a pretty cake! I love the patterns!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. The finished product is just stunning. I've got to try this one of these days, its a desert thats sure to impress!

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  9. I'm loving the zebra cakes. I'm going to have to find a reason to whip one up. They're just so fun.

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  10. This is a great and beautiful cake, an impressive give-away!

    Sawadee from Bangkok,
    Kris

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  11. Hi, found your blog through Heavenly Housewife. The two color swirls worked really nice on this cake!

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  12. That is a fabulous cake! Can't wait to make one and astonish the goddaughter!

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