This Marble Black and White Cupcake recipe offers a visually stunning and delightfully delicious dessert perfect for any occasion. If you’re craving a treat that’s both sophisticated and incredibly easy to make, these cupcakes are your answer, blending classic flavors with a touch of elegance.
Key Ingredients for Marble Black and White Cupcake
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 drops black food coloring (gel or liquid)
How to Make Marble Black and White Cupcake
Whip up these show-stopping Marble Black and White Cupcakes with ease! This recipe is designed for simplicity, delivering a rich vanilla and chocolate swirl that’s incredibly satisfying. In under 30 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a dozen beautiful cupcakes ready to impress, featuring a moist crumb and a delightful marbled effect.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners, or grease and flour each cup thoroughly for easy release. This step is crucial for ensuring your cupcakes don’t stick.
- Dry Ingredients Mix: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed for a consistent rise.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cupcake’s tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.
- Alternate Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix; overmixing can result in tough cupcakes. You should have a smooth batter.
- Divide and Color Batter: Divide the batter equally into two separate bowls. In one bowl, add the unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter and mix until just combined. In the second bowl, add the black food coloring, mixing until the batter turns a consistent deep black color. Tip: Start with one drop of food coloring and add more if needed to achieve a dark hue. Gel coloring will provide a more intense color with less product.
- Create the Marble Effect: Now for the fun part! Spoon alternating dollops of the vanilla (or un-colored) batter and the black batter into each lined cupcake cup. Aim for about a tablespoon of each color per cup, or adjust based on your preference. Don’t fill the cups more than two-thirds full.
- Swirl the Batter: Take a toothpick or a skewer and gently swirl through the batters in each cup. Make just one or two passes – over-swirling will muddy the colors and create a uniform brown. The goal is to create distinct streaks and patterns.
- Bake the Cupcakes: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool Down: Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5–10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking when you move them.
Why You’ll Love This Marble Black and White Cupcake
You’ll adore these Marble Black and White Cupcakes not just for their striking visual appeal, but for the perfectly balanced, classic flavor combination that awakens your taste buds. The delightful contrast between the rich vanilla and the subtly deep cocoa notes, enhanced by the playful marble pattern, makes each bite an experience. Imagine the pure joy of biting into a soft, moist cupcake that looks as good as it tastes – it’s a simple pleasure that rivals even the most elaborate desserts.
Baking these cupcakes at home is also a fantastic way to save money without sacrificing quality, offering a budget-friendly way to indulge your sweet tooth or treat guests. Unlike complicated layered cakes, these cupcakes are straightforward to assemble and bake, making them a fantastic go-to for busy bakers. Plus, the classic flavors are universally loved, ensuring everyone will find something to savor. Ready to create your own masterpiece? Give this Marble Black and White Cupcake recipe a try and prepare to be delighted!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your Marble Black and White Cupcakes will ensure they remain delicious for days. Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week; however, be aware that refrigeration can sometimes dry out cupcakes slightly. If you wish to freeze them, wrap each cooled cupcake individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen cupcakes will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
To reheat, if refrigerated, let them sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before enjoying. If reheating from frozen, allow them to thaw completely at room temperature. For frosted cupcakes, it’s best to refrigerate them if storing for more than a day, as the frosting can soften at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
These Marble Black and White Cupcakes are a testament to the beauty of simplicity and classic flavor. They are a joy to make and even more delightful to eat, proving that elegance doesn’t always require complex techniques. Give them a try and experience the satisfying magic of this timeless treat!

Marble Black and White Cupcake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners, or grease and flour each cup thoroughly for easy release.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until just combined.2 large eggs, at room temperature, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. Do not overmix; overmixing can result in tough cupcakes. You should have a smooth batter.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup milk, at room temperature
- Divide the batter equally into two separate bowls. In one bowl, add the unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter and mix until just combined. In the second bowl, add the black food coloring, mixing until the batter turns a consistent deep black color.2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 1-2 drops black food coloring (gel or liquid)
- Spoon alternating dollops of the vanilla (or un-colored) batter and the black batter into each lined cupcake cup. Aim for about a tablespoon of each color per cup, or adjust based on your preference. Don’t fill the cups more than two-thirds full.
- Take a toothpick or a skewer and gently swirl through the batters in each cup. Make just one or two passes – over-swirling will muddy the colors and create a uniform brown. The goal is to create distinct streaks and patterns.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5–10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.