Zebra Cakes: Easy Recipe for a Striped, Fun Dessert
Discover how to make Zebra Cakes with beautiful, striped layers. This fun and tasty treat is perfect for any event and loved by kids and adults alike!
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls (for wet and dry ingredients)
- 9-inch round cake pan (or any similar size)
- Sifter (for dry ingredients)
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Spatula
- Toothpick or cake tester (for checking doneness)
- Cooling rack (optional but recommended)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup warm milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
- Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients:
- In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Make sure the batter is well-blended with no lumps.
Divide the Batter:
- Split the batter evenly into two bowls. Leave one bowl as is for the vanilla batter. In the second bowl, mix in 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to make the chocolate batter.
Layer the Batters:
- For the signature zebra stripes, spoon 3 tablespoons of the vanilla batter into the center of the prepared cake pan. Then spoon 3 tablespoons of the chocolate batter directly on top of the vanilla batter. Repeat this process, alternating between the vanilla and chocolate batters, until both batters are used up.
Bake the Cake:
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don’t open the oven door for the first 30 minutes to maintain even heat.
Cool the Cake:
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Decorate (Optional):
- If desired, glaze the cake with chocolate or vanilla frosting, or add toppings like toasted almonds or fresh berries for extra flavor and presentation.