Healthy chocolate-vanilla marble cake

The marble cake of your childhood, lightened up: less sugar, no butter, and a pretty chocolate-vanilla swirl that delights young and old. Moist thanks to the yoghurt, it makes a comforting homemade teatime treat that is far healthier than shop-bought packaged cakes.

Preparation: 15 min  |  Cooking: 35 min  |  Servings: 10  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from the Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 171 kcal · 5 g protein · 19 g carbohydrate · 8 g fat

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 plain yoghurt
• 180 g wholemeal flour
• 60 g brown sugar
• 4 tbsp neutral oil
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tsp baking powder

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Whisk the eggs with the sugar, yoghurt and oil.
2. Fold in the flour and baking powder to make a smooth batter.
3. Divide the batter in two and add the cocoa to one half.
4. Pour the two batters into a loaf tin in alternating layers, then create the swirl with the tip of a knife.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes (check with a knife blade). Leave to cool slightly before turning out.

Nutritional benefits

This lighter version of marble cake leaves out the butter (replaced by a little oil and yoghurt) and sharply cuts the sugar thanks to the coconut sugar, which has a slightly lower glycaemic index. The wholemeal flour provides fibre that white flour lacks, and the yoghurt adds protein and moistness. It is a homemade teatime treat you stay in control of, with no additives or poor-quality oils, far more worthwhile than industrial cakes while keeping the pleasure of a marble cake.

Variations and substitutions

• Dairy-free: plant-based yoghurt.
• Gluten-free: a gluten-free flour blend.
• Extra indulgent: a few dark chocolate chips.
• Even less sugar: replace part of the sugar with a mashed banana.

Storage and making ahead

The marble cake keeps for 3 to 4 days wrapped at room temperature and can be frozen sliced. It is even better the next day, nice and moist. Perfect for teatimes through the week.

💡 Good to know

For a clean swirl, lay the batters in alternating layers and then make just one or two spiral passes with a knife: mixing too much would make the marbled effect disappear.

Read also

Discover more healthy & balanced recipes · recipes for children · vegetarian recipes.

The foods in this recipe: eggs · plain yoghurt · wholemeal flour · brown sugar · oil.

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