Recipes from Italy

  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Italian Desserts

    Easy Italian Marble Bundt Cake

    Published: Feb 29, 2024 · Modified: Jun 10, 2025 by Silvana Nava · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Italian Marble Bundt Cake recipe, perfect for those who love the combination of rich, chocolate swirls and classic vanilla flavor. This cake not only promises a moist and tender crumb, but also brings a touch of elegance to your table with its beautiful marble effect.

    Ideal for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to special celebrations, this recipe is easy to follow with simple ingredients and steps. Marble Bundt Cake - or Ciambella Bicolore as we call it - is a simple and delicious cake recipe perfect for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of hot tea, milk or a good coffee.

    marble bundt cake 1

    This Marble Bundt Cake is a soft and fluffy cake that you can make in a few simple steps. The Ciambella is a classic of Italian home baking. It's the typical grandmother's cake, rooted in tradition, like jam crostata and torta di mele.

    I'm going to show you a slightly more delicious and picturesque version of the classic ciabella, thanks to the addition of cocoa to the batter.

    This two-color Bundt cake appeals to everyone, and although it's a very simple dessert, when accompanied by crema pasticcera or gelato, it can become a sophisticated dessert for an after-dinner treat.

    Impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth with this irresistible Italian-inspired treat. Marble Bundt Cake is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Kitchen Tools and Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Curiosities
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    marble bundt cake 5

    Prep Time: 25 Min | Cook Time: 50 Min | Servings: 8

    Doses for 23 cm (9 inch) non-stick bundt cake pan

    • 350 g (2 ⅓ cup) of "00" flour
    • 200 g (~2 sticks) of unsulted butter, at room temperature
    • 240 g (1 ¼ cup) of granulated sugar
    • 5 medium eggs, at room temperature
    • 1 vanilla pod or 3 drops of vanilla flavoring
    • 16 g (3 teaspoons) of baking powder
    • 30 g (4 tablespoons) of unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 150 ml (⅔ cup) of fresh, whole milk
    • 2 g (⅓ teaspoon) of salt
    • powdered sugar, for decoration

    Kitchen Tools and Equipment

    To make this Two-Tone Bundt Cake, here are some essential kitchen tools you may need:

    • Electric hand immersion or stand mixer: Essential for creaming the butter and sugar and then all the other ingredients and making sure the mixture is smooth and well blended. I used the KitchenAid immersion blender
    • Bundt Cake Pan: I used a 23 cm (9 inch) non-stick bundt cake pan. Of course, there are different bundt cake pan, from the simplest plain ring pan with the hole in the middle to the more worked ones that can make the cake more scenic and special. Don't forget to grease it to make it easier to remove the cake after baking.

    Instructions

    The Mixture

    marble bundt cake step 1

    Step 1) - To prepare the Marble Bundt Cake, start by working the butter and sugar until creamy. Cut the butter into small pieces and let it soften at room temperature. Place the softened butter in a bowl. Add the sugar. Beat together with an electric mixer for at least 10 minutes.

    marble bundt cake step 2

    Step 2) - In a separate bowl, break the eggs (at room temperature) and beat a little with a fork. Add the eggs a little at a time, in two or three batches, to the cream of butter and sugar, mixing well.

    marble bundt cake step 3

    Step 3) - When you have got a nice cream, add the salt and the milk (not cold), always continuing to mix.

    marble bundt cake step 4

    Step 4) - Sift the flour and baking powder. Then add them little by little to the mixture. Mix until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.

    marble bundt cake step 5

    Step 5) - At this point, divide the mixture in half into two separate bowls. In one, add the sifted cocoa powder and mix well. In the other bowl, add the seeds of one vanilla pod or 3 drops of vanilla essence.

    How to Marble the Cake

    marble bundt cake step 6

    Step 6) - Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and butter the bundt pan. Pour the mixture in three layers. In the first layer, place 3 mounds of vanilla mixture. Then place the chocolate mixture between each vanilla mound. Make a second layer in the same way and then a third until you run out of batter.

    marble bundt cake step 7

    Step 7) - To make the marble cake, take a long wooden toothpick and sink it into the mixture. Then make two deep circles. This way the two colors will blend together and form stripes.

    The Baking

    marble bundt cake step 8

    Step 8) - Bake the Marble Bundt Cake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356 F) for about 50 minutes. To check if the cake is baked, test it with a toothpick before removing it from the oven. If the toothpick comes out clean and dry, the cake is done.

    marble bundt cake step 9

    Step 9) - Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve!

    marble bundt cake 3

    YOU MUST ALSO TRY:

    • Classic Italian Chocolate Cake | Torta al Cioccolato
    • Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Amaretti Cookies and Chocolate Chips
    • Ciambella Romagnola| Traditional Italian Rustic Cake

    Storage

    To store the Marble Bundt Cake and keep it fresh, follow these steps.

    Before storing, make sure your cake has cooled completely to room temperature. Storing a warm cake can cause condensation in the container, making the cake soggy.

    Store at room temperature. Make sure it's in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Store it in a cake dome or on a plate covered with plastic wrap. It will keep at room temperature for 3-4 days.

    Curiosities

    The Marble Bundt Cake is a classic cake that traditionally accompanies Italians' breakfasts and snacks.

    It's a common tradition throughout Italy, and as with many traditional recipes, we find different names depending on the region of origin.

    The common name in Italy is Ciambella Bicolore. But in Umbria, for example, the ciambella is also known as " Roccio" or "Torcolo". In the Marche it's called "Ciammellotto" or "Ciambellone". In South Tyrol it is called "Marmorkuchen".

    marble bundt cake 2

    Recipe Card

    STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
    marble bundt cake recipe

    Marble Bundt Cake Recipe

    Silvana Nava
    Easy Italian Marble Bundt Cake recipe, perfect for those who love the combination of rich, chocolate swirls and classic vanilla flavor.
    This cake not only promises a moist and tender crumb, but also brings a touch of elegance to your table with its beautiful marble effect.
    Ideal for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to special celebrations, this recipe is easy to follow with simple ingredients and steps.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8
    Calories 357 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 350 g 2 ⅓ cup of "00" flour 2 ⅓ cup, "00"
    • 200 g butter ~2 sticks, unsulted and at room temperature
    • 240 g granulated sugar 1 ¼ cup
    • 5 eggs medium and at room temperature
    • 1 vanilla pod or 3 drops of vanilla flavoring
    • 16 g baking powder 3 teaspoons
    • 30 g cocoa powder 4 tablespoonss, unsweetened
    • 150 ml milk ⅔ cup, fresh and whole
    • 2 g salt ⅓ teaspoon
    • powdered sugar for decoration

    Instructions
     

    • Place the softened butter in a bowl. Add the sugar. Beat together with an electric mixer for at least 10 minutes.
    • In a separate bowl, break the eggs (at room temperature) and beat a little with a fork. Add the eggs a little at a time, in two or three batches, to the cream of butter and sugar, mixing well.
    • When you have got a nice cream, add the salt and the milk (not cold), always continuing to mix.
    • Sift the flour and baking powder. Then add them little by little to the mixture. Mix until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
    • Divide the mixture in half into two separate bowls. In one, add the sifted cocoa powder and mix well. In the other bowl, add the seeds of one vanilla pod or 3 drops of vanilla essence.
    • Butter the bundt pan. Pour the mixture in three layers. In the first layer, place 3 mounds of vanilla mixture. Then place the chocolate mixture between each vanilla mound. Make a second layer in the same way and then a third until you run out of batter.
    • To make the marble cake, take a long wooden toothpick and sink it into the mixture. Then make two deep circles. This way the two colors will blend together and form stripes.
    • Bake the Marble Bundt Cake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356 F) for about 50 minutes. To check if the cake is baked, test it with a toothpick before removing it from the oven. If the toothpick comes out clean and dry, the cake is done.
    • Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 517mgPotassium: 131mgFiber: 1gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 805IUCalcium: 168mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Italian marble bundt cake, marble bundt cake, marble ciambella
    Tried this recipe?Mention @recipesfromitaly or tag #recipesfromitaly!

    More Italian Desserts

    • gianduia gelato recipe
      Gianduia Gelato (Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream)
    • homemade pistachio cream
      How to Make Pistachio Cream at Home
    • apricot cake recipe with fresh apricots
      Italian Apricot Cake Recipe (with Fresh Apricots)
    • Sweet Italian Easter Bread
      Treccia di Pasqua (Sweet Italian Easter Bread)
    106 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Barbara & Silvana

    CIAO! Barbara & Silvana here! We are the authors of these amazing Italian recipes. Living in Italy, they are part of our culture, tradition and everyday life. And we want to share them with you all, straight from Italy! Learn more about us! Read our story!

    Italian Summer Recipes

    • shrimp pasta salad with zucchini and lemon
      Shrimp Pasta Salad with Zucchini and Lemon
    • blueberry risotto
      Blueberry Risotto (Italian Risotto with Fresh Blueberries)
    • pasta with ricotta and lemon
      Easy and Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta (Ready in 10 Minutes!)
    • pasta alla checca recipe
      Pasta alla Checca (Roman Fresh Tomato Pasta)
    See more Italian Summer Recipes →

    Popular Recipes

    • authentic italian tiramisu recipe
      Authentic Italian Tiramisu Recipe
    • authentic carbonara recipe
      Traditional Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe
    • authentic italian gelato recipe
      How to Make Authentic Italian Gelato at Home
    • limoncello recipe
      Limoncello Recipe – Make Authentic Italian Limoncello at Home
    See more Popular Recipes →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About us
    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 recipesfromitaly.com is a website of the company CIUMBIA S.A.S. - VAT 12138380964 - Milano

    106 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    This worked exactly as written, thanks!
    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.