Zebra Cake Recipe: A Stunning Marbled Dessert You’ll Fall in Love With

When it comes to cakes that are both delicious and eye-catching, Zebra Cake tops the list. This show-stopping dessert gets its name from the stunning striped pattern that mimics the beautiful coat of a zebra. Made by alternating layers of vanilla and chocolate batter, every slice reveals a mesmerizing marbled look — and it tastes as amazing as it looks!

Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a special gathering, or just because you love cake, this Zebra Cake recipe is sure to impress.

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What is Zebra Cake?

Zebra Cake is a layered vanilla and chocolate cake where the batters are spooned alternately into the pan to create a striped pattern when baked. It’s often frosted with rich chocolate or cream cheese icing to enhance the flavor and presentation.

The name comes from the beautiful black-and-white stripes visible in every slice — just like a zebra!

Why You’ll Love It

Visually Stunning: The marbled stripe effect looks like it came from a professional bakery.
Perfectly Moist: With buttermilk, sour cream, and butter, the texture is soft, moist, and tender.
Balanced Flavor: The combination of vanilla and chocolate offers a rich yet not overpowering taste.
Crowd-Pleaser: Great for birthdays, potlucks, or any time you want a dessert that turns heads.
Customizable: You can tweak the chocolate-to-vanilla ratio to match your taste.

Zebra Cake Variations

Want to give your Zebra Cake a twist? Here are some creative variations to try:

Lemon-Vanilla Zebra Cake: Replace the cocoa with lemon zest and juice for a citrusy flair.
Strawberry-Chocolate Zebra Cake: Use freeze-dried strawberry powder in place of vanilla for a fruity touch.
Nutella Swirl Cake: Mix Nutella into the chocolate batter for extra richness.
Marble Cupcakes: Turn this into cupcakes with the same alternating batter technique.

Serving Suggestions

Zebra Cake pairs beautifully with:

A glass of cold milk or a warm latte
Fresh berries for a pop of color and freshness
A drizzle of chocolate ganache or caramel for added indulgence
Lightly whipped cream on the side

Serve it at room temperature to allow the flavors to shine through.

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Ingredients

(Yields 12 Servings)

Dry Ingredients:

3 and 1/2 cups (413g) sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Wet Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
5 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup (75g) sour cream, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk, at room temperature

Chocolate Batter:

2 Tablespoons milk or buttermilk, warmed
1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
1/3 cup (27g) unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:

12 oz (339g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners’ sugar
2/3 cup (55g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1–2 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Pinch of salt
Sprinkles for decoration (optional)

How to Make Zebra Cake

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) so it’s ready when your batter is.

2. Prepare the Vanilla Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes until creamy.
Add the eggs and mix on medium speed until combined, then beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in three parts, mixing gently each time until just combined.

3. Make the Chocolate Batter

There will be around 8 cups of batter total. Divide it in half (you can just eyeball it) and transfer half of the batter into another bowl.
To one half, add warmed milk mixed with espresso powder, cocoa powder, and sugar. Whisk until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine.

4. Prepare the Cake Pans

Grease three 9-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper, and grease again. This helps the cakes release cleanly after baking.

5. Create the Zebra Pattern

In each pan, alternate spoonfuls of vanilla and chocolate batters, starting from the center.
Continue layering until all batter is used, gently shaking the pans occasionally to level the layers.

6. Bake the Cakes

Bake for 25–27 minutes.
Check doneness with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, your cakes are ready.
Let cakes cool in the pans for 1 hour, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

7. Make the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add butter, then beat again.
Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, milk, and salt. Mix on low, then beat until creamy and smooth.
Add more milk to thin or a pinch of salt to taste, if needed.

8. Assemble and Frost the Cake

Trim the tops of each cake layer to flatten.
Place the first cake layer on a stand or plate and spread with 1 cup of frosting.
Repeat with the second and third layers.
Use remaining frosting to cover the top and sides.
Add sprinkles, if desired.
Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.

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Make Ahead & Storage Tips

Make Ahead: You can bake the cake layers a day in advance. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature or refrigerate.
Frosting: Can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Bring to room temp before spreading.
Storage: Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 1016kcal
Protein: 12g
Fat: 57g
Saturated Fat: 34g
Carbohydrates: 121g
Cholesterol: 228mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 83g
Sodium: 436mg
Potassium: 314mg
Calcium: 156mg
Iron: 4mg

Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Final Thoughts

Zebra Cake is more than just a pretty dessert — it’s a fun, flavorful, and surprisingly simple bake that always delivers. Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating your family, this striped stunner will steal the show.
Don’t forget to check out our recommended kitchen tools and recipes on our website, myhomewish.com, to streamline prep and elevate your cooking game.