Indulge in the delightful Zebra Layer Cake, a captivating confection that combines the harmonious flavors of vanilla and chocolate in a mesmerizing visual spectacle. This decadent cake features alternating layers of rich chocolate and delicate vanilla, swirled together to create a striking zebra-like pattern. Its moist and fluffy texture promises a satisfying bite in every slice, while the luscious frosting adds an irresistible touch of sweetness. But the culinary journey doesn't end there. This comprehensive article also unveils a treasure trove of other delectable recipes, each a testament to the culinary artistry of the Zebra Layer Cake. From the classic Vanilla Cake that forms the foundation of this magnificent creation to the rich and indulgent Chocolate Cake that brings a touch of decadence, every recipe is meticulously crafted to deliver a symphony of flavors. And for those with a sweet tooth, the luscious Frosting recipe promises to elevate your dessert experience to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this article has something for everyone, guiding you through the steps of creating a Zebra Layer Cake that will steal the show at any gathering.
Let's cook with our recipes!
ZEBRA LAYER CAKE
A zebra layer cake is perfect for any animal lover. Adorned in zebra print both on the frosting and inside the cake, it's a wildly fun way to celebrate any occasion.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 3h
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of 3 (8- or 9-inch) round pans with shortening. Line pan bottoms with waxed paper or cooking parchment paper; grease again and lightly flour. Make dark chocolate cake mix as directed on box using water, oil and eggs; set aside. Make white cake mix as directed on box using water, oil and egg whites.
- Place 1/4 cup of the chocolate cake batter into center of each pan. Do not spread batter. Place 1/4 cup white cake batter on top and in center of chocolate batter in each pan. Do not spread batter. Let batter in each pan spread on its own. Repeat placing remaining batters, 1/4 cup at a time, in center alternating between chocolate and white batter.
- Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Carefully remove waxed paper. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- If necessary, using serrated knife, cut rounded top off cakes to make a level surface. Place 1 cake layer on cake plate, top side up. Spread frosting over top. Top with another cake layer, top side down; spread with frosting. Top with remaining cake layer, top side down. Reserve about 1/2 cup remaining frosting for garnish. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting. Use metal spatula to smooth frosting. Using #9 writing tip, pipe reserved 1/2 cup frosting around bottom of cake.
- Knead fondant to soften. Lightly sprinkle smooth surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar. Roll out fondant to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut strips from fondant of various lengths and widths to make black stripes. Place strips on cake side and top forming striped pattern on cake, leaving about 1/2 inch of frosting between stripes. Store cake loosely covered.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 570, Carbohydrate 85 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Fat 4 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 510 mg, Sugar 13 g, TransFat 2 1/2 g
ZEBRA CAKE RECIPE (THE CLASSIC)
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter with 3/4 cup of sugar.
- Using an electric mixer, whisk the eggs with 1 cup of sugar.
- Add the butter mixture into the egg mixture.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the sour cream mixture into the egg and butter mixture.
- Working slowly, add the flour into the batter until well-combined. Next, split the batter in half in two separate bowls. Add cacao powder to one of the bowls to create the chocolate cake and whisk until well-combined.
- Spray a 7-inch cake pan with cooking spray. Alternating the different colors of batter, place two tablespoon of batter at a time into the cake pan until you run out. This will create the zebra stripe effect.
- Bake the cake at 350°F for 40 minutes. To check if the cake is done, stick a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it's ready. Once the cake completely cools at room temperature, slice it into 2-3 equal sized layers with a serrated knife.
- Soak each cake layer with about 1/2 cup of whipping cream (use a squirt bottle if you have one).
- Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together just until it reaches stiff peaks.
- Apply the cream between each layer and use the remaining cream to frost the outside of the cake.
- In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Next, pour it over the chocolate chips in a medium size bowl and stir the mixture until smooth. Give the ganache a couple of minutes to cool.
- Apply the ganache all over the top of the cake. If you wish, decorate the top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or whatever else you'd like. Eat immediately or let the cake set overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 595 kcal, Carbohydrate 59 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 38 g, SaturatedFat 23 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 170 mg, Sodium 153 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 40 g, UnsaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ZEBRA CAKE
This easy, moist, and delicious swirled chocolate and vanilla zebra cake is topped with creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting.
Provided by Sally
Categories Cake
Time 4h30m
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and lightly flour three 9-inch cake pans.
- Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. On medium-high speed, add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, and mixing each addition just until incorporated. Do not overmix this batter. The batter will be smooth, velvety, and slightly thick.
- There will be around 8 cups of batter total. Transfer half of it to another bowl. Whisk in the 4 chocolate batter ingredients until combined. A few small lumps are ok.
- First, watch the video above to see exactly how to layer the batters into the cake pans. Drop a large spoonful of 1 batter in the center of the pan. Top with a spoonful of the other batter. Alternate spoonfuls on top of each other. Give the pan a shake to level it all out. Repeat with each cake pan until all the batter is used. There's about 8 cups of batter total, so each cake pan will have a little less than 3 cups of batter in it.
- Bake for around 25-27 minutes or until the cakes are baked through. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, it is done. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.
- In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese for 1 minute on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. Beat in the butter until combined. Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, 1 Tablespoon milk, and salt and beat on medium-high speed until combined and creamy. Add 1 more Tablespoon of milk to slightly thin out, if desired. Taste, then add another pinch of salt if desired.
- First, using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Discard (or crumble over ice cream!). Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and evenly cover the top with more frosting. Top with the third cake layer. Spread the frosting into a thick layer all over the top and sides. Garnish with sprinkles, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake keep its shape when cutting- it could slightly fall apart without time in the fridge.
- Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for 5 days.
CHOCOLATE-AND-VANILLA ZEBRA CAKE
Striking stripes of vanilla and chocolate hide beneath a thick coating of glossy chocolate frosting in this dramatic cake. Best of all, it's surprisingly simple to pull off; the pattern is created by alternating spoonfuls of batter in the center of the pans.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cake Recipes
Time 2h30m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush two 9-inch round cake pans with butter. Line bottoms of pans with parchment rounds; brush parchment with butter.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined, 30 seconds. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites and granulated sugar until light, opaque, and foamy, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups milk, butter, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture; whisk until smooth. In another large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1/3 cup milk, and cocoa. Add 3 1/4 cups of vanilla batter to cocoa mixture and whisk until smooth. Whisk remaining scant 3 tablespoons milk into remaining vanilla batter.
- Spoon 1/4 cup vanilla batter into center of each prepared pan. Spoon 1/4 cup chocolate batter into each center, directly on top of vanilla batter. Repeat, always spooning batter into centers of pans, and occasionally tapping pan firmly on work surface to ensure even distribution, until all batter is used (batters should appear as concentric rings).
- Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until cakes are puffed slightly and a tester inserted into centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer pans to a wire rack; let cool 10 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack, remove parchment, and let cool completely.
- Frosting: Meanwhile, whisk together cocoa, espresso powder, salt, hot water, and vanilla until a smooth paste forms. Beat butter with confectioners' sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in chocolate, then cocoa mixture and corn syrup, until smooth.
- Trim tops of cakes flat. Transfer one cake, trimmed-side up, to a cake plate or stand lined with parchment strips. Spread 3/4 cup frosting evenly over top. Place remaining cake layer on top, trimmed-side down. Spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake. Remove parchment strips; serve. Cake can be stored, uncovered, at room temperature up to 12 hours, or refrigerated, uncovered, up to 2 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
ZEBRA CAKE III
This easy-to-make icebox cake seems to be as popular today as it was 50 years ago.
Provided by Joanne L. Hayes
Categories Desserts Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Time 8h30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Beat cream in a large glass or metal mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Gradually add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the cream holds stiff peaks. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the whipped cream should form a sharp peak that holds its shape.
- Spread a generous teaspoon of whipped cream on each cookie. Press cookies together to make 3-inch stacks.
- Spread a 1-inch wide line of whipped cream down center of a serving platter. Assemble cookie stacks into a log on platter following the line of whipped cream.
- Frost cookie log with remaining whipped cream and sprinkle with grated chocolate.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- To serve, slice diagonally to create striped pieces.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 430.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38.3 g, Cholesterol 83.7 mg, Fat 29.7 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 16.5 g, Sodium 269.6 mg, Sugar 18.4 g
Tips:
- Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help the cake to rise evenly and prevent it from becoming dense.
- Use a light touch when mixing the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Be careful not to overbake the cake. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting to set properly.
- If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to create the zebra stripes.
Conclusion:
The zebra layer cake is a fun and delicious cake that is perfect for any occasion. With its alternating layers of chocolate and vanilla batter, it's sure to be a hit with everyone. The cake is also relatively easy to make, making it a great option for beginner bakers. So next time you're looking for a show-stopping dessert, give the zebra layer cake a try!
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