And it's got the most incredible chocolate frosting.

Published on March 12, 2026

Credit:

Jake Sternquist / Food Styling: Holly Dreesman

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When you’re in the mood for cake but don’t want the fuss of layers, this classic cake (that dates back to a 1950s issue of Better Homes & Gardens) is for you! All the delicious classic marble cake flavor packed into loaf size. Just a simple layer of frosting is all this cake needs.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups cake flour or all-purpose flour

  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

  • 1/4 tsp. salt

  • 1/2 cup shortening

  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp. vanilla

  • 3 eggs, at room temperature

  • 2/3 cup milk

  • 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted

  • 2 Tbsp. warm water

  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda

  • 1/8 tsp. red liquid food coloring (optional)

  • 1 recipe Chocolate Frosting

Chocolate Frosting

  • 2 Tbsp. salted butter

  • 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate

  • 2 cups powdered sugar

  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour an 8x5-inch loaf pan. For cake, in a medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.

  2. In a large bowl beat shortening with a mixer on medium to high 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar and vanilla; beat on medium until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add flour mixture and milk alternately, beating on low after each addition just until combined.

  3. Transfer 1 cup of the batter to a medium bowl. In a small bowl combine chocolate, the warm water, baking soda, and food coloring (if using). Stir chocolate mixture into the 1 cup batter.

  4. Using a separate large spoon for each batter, alternately drop spoonfuls of plain and chocolate batters into the prepared pan. Using a butter knife or thin metal spatula, gently swirl batters to marble (do not overmix).

  5. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool cake in pan 5 minutes. Remove cake from pan; cool on a wire rack. Frost with Chocolate Frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

  1. For chocolate frosting, in a medium saucepan heat salted butter and unsweetened chocolate, cut up, over low until melted. Add 2 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup water, and vanilla. Stir vigorously until smooth. (For a slightly thicker, spreadable frosting, beat with mixer on medium until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.)