Classic Buttermilk Marble Cake with Chocolate Swirls

1. Prepare Pan and Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9-inch tube pan by greasing it with butter and giving it a light dusting of flour.

2. Sift Dry Ingredients and Mix

Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 and 2/3 cups of sugar and mix well.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients with Butter

In a stand mixer, blend the sifted dry ingredients with the softened butter until well combined.

4. Add Buttermilk and Vanilla

Pour in the buttermilk and vanilla extract into the flour mixture and mix until just blended.

5. Incorporate Eggs

Introduce the lightly beaten eggs to the batter, mixing until just incorporated.

6. Prepare Chocolate Mixture

Melt the unsweetened chocolate and stir in 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of hot water.

7. Fold Batter into Chocolate Mixture

Gently fold a quarter of the cake batter into the melted chocolate mixture.

8. Layer and Swirl Batters

Layer the vanilla and chocolate batters in the prepared pan, using a knife to swirl them together.

9. Bake the Cake

Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes, until it springs back to the touch in the center.

10. Cool the Cake

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before unmolding.

11. Prepare the Icing

Melt 2 ounces of chocolate and beat it together with the softened cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until creamy. Adjust the consistency with a bit of whole milk, if needed.

12. Ice the Cake

Once the cake is completely cool, spread the icing over the top with a spatula or knife.