Jamie Oliver’s marble cake is a classic, soft, and tender cake that features a blend of chocolate and vanilla batters swirled together to create a marbled pattern. The flavors complement each other wonderfully, and it’s a versatile cake that can be enjoyed on its own or with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake tin with baking paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. If the mixture begins to curdle, add a spoonful of flour to bring it together.
Sift the self-raising flour into the bowl and fold it in gently using a spatula. Add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well combined.
Divide the batter evenly between two bowls. In one bowl, add the cocoa powder and mix until fully incorporated, creating the chocolate batter.
Spoon alternating dollops of vanilla and chocolate batter into the prepared cake tin. Use a skewer or knife to gently swirl the batters together to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix, as this will lose the marbling pattern.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. The top should be golden and the cake should spring back when lightly touched.
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar or serve as is.