- 1
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound
- unsalted butter, plus more to butter the pan
- 1 1/4 cups
- granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon
- vanilla extract
- 4 4
- large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups
- all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon
- baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon
- kosher or coarse sea salt
- 1/2 cup
- sour cream
- 1/4 cup
- hot water
- 1/4 cup
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- Confectioners' sugar, optional
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter the sides and bottom of a loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and continue beating until well combined and fluffy, another 2 minutes. Pour in the vanilla and continue beating until well incorporated and smooth, about another minute. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Break the eggs into another bowl. Add half of the eggs and half of the sifted flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating on medium-low speed until well combined, scraping down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Repeat with the remaining eggs and flour. Add the sour cream and continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Set the batter aside. In a small bowl, combine the hot water with the cocoa powder. Pour half the cake batter into another bowl and fold in the cocoa-water mixture with a rubber spatula until thoroughly mixed. Spread the "white" batter from the mixer bowl in the bottom of the loaf pan. Pour the chocolate batter on top, in a straight line down the center. Make a design with a knife or fork, so it will look "marbled." Bake the cake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool. Invert the cooled cake onto a plate, remove the parchment paper, and invert again onto another plate. Dust the top of the cake with confectioners' sugar, and it is ready to slice. To store, keep it covered.