
A classic marble cake that delights with its perfect balance of light and dark batter. The fluffy texture and intense cocoa flavor make it a timeless favorite cake for young and old.
When I first baked this cake using my grandmother's original recipe, I was surprised how easy it was to create the perfect marbling.
Essential Ingredients
- Butter: must be at room temperature for optimal creaminess
- Baking cocoa: provides intense chocolate flavor
- Fresh eggs: give structure and volume
- Type 405 flour: makes the batter particularly tender
- Milk: keeps the cake moist

Path to Perfect Cake
- Developing basic batter:
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy, light and fluffy. Add eggs individually and slowly for maximum volume.
- Creating chocolate batter:
- Mix half of the batter with cocoa, sugar and milk. Don't stir too long to keep the batter light.
Marbling
- Marbling:
- Add the batters to the pan in layers. Pull through with a fork carefully in spiral patterns for the characteristic design.
A specialty in our family is to cover the still warm cake with a damp cloth - this makes it particularly moist.
Creating Variations
Flavor with Amaretto or rum. Orange zest for a fresh note. Add nuts to the light batter.
Adjusting Decoration
Cover with dark chocolate coating. Powdered sugar for classic look. Combine white and dark chocolate shavings.

Optimizing Storage
Keeps in a cake container for up to five days. Wrap in aluminum foil to freeze. Warm slightly before serving.
This marble cake is a piece of tradition that never goes out of style. The combination of light and dark batter makes it a timeless classic that always turns out well and sweetens any coffee afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use other pasta?
- Yes, filled ravioli or regular pasta also work well. Adjust the cooking time according to package instructions.
- → What other vegetables work well?
- Cauliflower, peas, carrots or zucchini are good alternatives. The vegetables should be pre-cooked.
- → Can I prepare the casserole in advance?
- Yes, prepare all ingredients and layer the dish. Store in the refrigerator and bake before serving.
- → What can I use instead of ham?
- The ham can be omitted or replaced with cooked chicken, tuna, or vegetarian alternatives.
- → Can I freeze the casserole?
- Yes, but the sauce may separate after thawing. Best to freeze in portions and thaw gently.