Homemade Zebra cake (with chocolate and vanilla cake layers)

Impress your guests with this homemade Zebra cake. Its chocolate and vanilla cake layers contrast with each other creating a swirl effect

Homemade Zebra cake is made with chocolate and vanilla cake layers. The batter is poured into the center of the pan, alternating colors. As more batter is added, the rings of alternating colors expand outward, creating a unique striped or “zebra” pattern that is revealed when the dessert is sliced.

This beautiful sweet treat has nostalgic value for me, as my Ukrainian grandmother, Baba Maria, used to make it when I was a child. You know, grandmothers often have family recipes that have been passed down through generations. This chocolate and vanilla dessert always reminds me of my carefree and happy childhood. I loved helping my grandmother with the mixing and layering of the batter to create the striped pattern. Afterward, we would enjoy a slice of this sweet treat alongside a cold glass of milk, which is still my perfect combination.

This is an impressive yet very easy-to-make recipe. You don’t need two separate batters for this dessert; you’ll just have to prepare one base batter and divide it into two equal portions. Add cocoa powder and milk to one portion, and that’s it! Alternate chocolate and vanilla cake layers to create a pattern similar to that of a zebra.

Homemade Zebra cake is ideal for any occasion, whether it be a potluck, a birthday party, or a simple family gathering.

Useful tips

I recommend using a kitchen scale instead of cups for accurate measurements, especially when measuring flour. Too much flour in the batter can result in a dry and hard cake. If you do use a measuring cup, spoon the flour into it and level it off.

• Use the right pan size. You will need a 22cm (9 inch) round baking pan for this recipe. Using a different size may affect the appearance of the stripes. A springform pan is a good choice because it has a removable bottom that makes it easy to remove the dessert without damaging it. You can also use a Bundt pan.
• Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature. This will help them mix together perfectly and create a smoother batter.
• Use cake flour. It’s lower in protein and finer in texture than all-purpose (or plain) flour. Your homemade Zebra cake will be perfectly tender, light, and fluffy.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Otherwise, it will become dense and tough. Mix just until all ingredients are combined.
• Grease and flour the baking pan thoroughly (including the corners and sides). This helps prevent the cake from sticking to the pan when it is removed. You can use butter or a non-stick cooking spray.
• Tap the pan. After pouring the batter, gently tap the pan on the counter a few times to help distribute the batter evenly.

And finally, don’t overbake, as your homemade Zebra cake can become too dry. Moreover, if it’s left in the oven for too long, the top can dry out and crack.

How to create a perfect zebra pattern

Creating the perfect zebra pattern can seem a bit tricky, but the technique is surprisingly simple. With a few useful tips, you can make a perfectly striped homemade Zebra cake that looks as good as it tastes in no time!

• First, make sure to spoon the batter into the pan gently to avoid mixing the two batters together.
• Use equal amounts of batter for each layer to ensure an even distribution of the chocolate and vanilla layers.
• When pouring the batter into the pan, pour it into the center of the baking pan and let it spread naturally. Don’t spread it with a spoon.
• Alternate between the vanilla and chocolate batters. Start by pouring a small amount of vanilla batter into the center of the pan, then pour an equal amount of chocolate batter on top of it. Continue this process until all of the batter is used up. This will create the signature zebra pattern.

Variations to the recipe

While the classic chocolate and vanilla homemade zebra cake is delicious, there are many variations that you can try to create a unique and delightful treat.

Here are some interesting ideas:

• Use a different flavor extract. Mint and almond extracts are great for this recipe.
• Add chopped nuts and chocolate chips to the batter for a satisfying crunch and texture.
• Add 2 teaspoons of grated orange or lemon zest to make an orange and chocolate homemade Zebra cake with a citrusy flavor.
• Add ½ tsp ground cloves. It will make this dessert more flavorful and interesting.
• Add 2Tbsp espresso powder to the chocolate batter. The coffee helps intensify the chocolate. You will have an awesome Mocha Zebra cake!

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are really endless. So get creative and have fun!

Zebra cake ingredients

The ingredients for a classic homemade zebra cake are simple and can be found in most kitchens:

• 250g (2 cups) cake flour
• 125g (½ cup) unsalted butter (softened)
• 250g (1¼ cups) granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup + 2Tbsp milk
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 2Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

How to make homemade Zebra cake from scratch

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the eggs (one at a time), beating well after each addition. Then, add ½ cup milk and beat until well combined.

Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract.  Stir until they are fully incorporated. Divide the batter in half. Add the cocoa powder, 2Tbsp milk, and ground cinnamon to one half of the batter and mix until well combined.

To create the zebra pattern, scoop 2Tbsp of the vanilla batter into the center of the prepared cake pan. Then, place two spoonfuls of the chocolate batter on top of the vanilla batter.

Continue alternating the chocolate and vanilla cake layers until you have used up all the batter.

Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean with no batter or crumbs sticking to it.

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from it. If you remove it immediately, it may fall apart. Once it is cooled, slice it and serve.

How to serve Zebra cake

Serve it as is along with a cold cup of milk or homemade lemonade. It’s also great with a cup of tea or coffee.

Otherwise, here are some interesting serving suggestions:

• Dust it with some powdered sugar on top.
• Drizzle caramel sauce over the baked and cooled cake before serving.
• Top it with whipped cream and garnish with fresh fruit, berries, or chocolate chips.
• Frost it with your favorite buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
• Make a chocolate glaze or a chocolate ganache and pour it over the dessert for a decadent finish.

You can also slice it and serve it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.

Regardless of how you choose to serve it, this homemade Zebra cake is sure to be a showstopper! 

FAQ

If you enjoy the combination of chocolate and vanilla, you should try our two-color cookies. They are absolutely fabulous!

If you are a fan of chocolate and vanilla cakes, this homemade Zebra cake recipe is for you. Let me know if you try it out.

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