Marble Cake

Ingredients

* 2½ cups all-purpose flour

* 1½ cups sugar

* 1 cup butter, softened

* 4 large eggs

* 1 cup milk

* 2 teaspoons baking powder

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* ¼ teaspoon salt

* 3 tablespoons cocoa powder

* 2 tablespoons milk, for the chocolate batter

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line an 8-inch round or loaf cake pan.

2. Beat the butter and sugar for 4–5 minutes until pale and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla.

4. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

5. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk, mixing gently until just combined.

6. Divide the batter into two portions.

7. Leave one portion vanilla. Mix the cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons milk into the second portion.

8. Spoon alternating portions of vanilla and chocolate batter into the prepared pan.

9. Run a skewer or knife gently through the batter in a few figure-eight movements to create the marble effect. Do not over-swirl.

10. Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

11. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

12. Slice to reveal the marble pattern.