Terrible photo I’m aware. But don’t let it deter you. This cake is tasty and although simple, has an elegance to it. Dress it up with whipped cream and berries and you have an even prettier dessert. This is also a good cake to nibble on throughout the day (as we all did!)
Enjoy –
marble pound cake (from xxx by Lauren Chattman):
3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 large eggs, room temp, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (use half if using table salt)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
Preaheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5 loaf pan (other sizes fine too just adjust baking time). Alternatively, grease the pan and line the bottom with parchment.
Place an inch of hot water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer. Place chocolate in a stainless bowl big enough to rest on top of the saucepan. Please make sure the bowl does not tough the water. (Or use a double boiler if you prefer.) Don’t burn the chocolate, just melt it. Once melted, remove from heat to cool.
Combine the eggs and vanilla and lightly beat. In a small bowl, place the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
With the paddle attachment of the mixer, bet the butter and sugar on medium high heat until lighter and fluffy. 5 m or so. Scrape down sides and beat again to incorporate.
Turn speed to medium low and slowly pour the egg/vanilla mixture into the butter. Scrape down the bowl and beat again.
On the lowest speed, add the flour mixture and mix until incorporated.
Scoop out half of the batter into another bowl and add the melted chocolate. Stir until combined.
Scrape half of the yellow batter into the pan. Then scrape half of the chocolate batter on top. Repeat with other halves.
Run a knife through the batter to create marbling (if you like).
Bake until cake is golden and a toothpick comes out just clean. Recipe says and hour and 15 m – but check before and after. I recently learned that my oven temp is off – and many are, so follow your instincts and bake until your cake is done. This will take practice but it is one of the most important factors in baking.
Let cake cool in pan for 10 m or so. Then gently invert on rack to cool completely.
Yum.
