Sweet Orange & Thyme Marble Loaf Cake

'Tis the season for knitted jumpers and copious cups of tea, and nothing makes tea time better than the perfect cake. This Sweet Orange & Thyme Marble Loaf Cake is the ultimate festive treat for the whole family.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2.5 cups self-raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup light soft brown sugar
• ½ cup butter + 1 tbsp for greasing (use vegan butter if you wish)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• Pinch salt
• 85g Seed & Bean Sweet Orange and Thyme Dark Chocolate
• Zest from 1 fresh orange
• Juice from ½ fresh orange

METHOD:

• Preheat the oven to 180 Celsius and grease a 900g loaf tin with 1 tbsp butter
• Combine milk and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and set aside
• Meanwhile, add 2 and ¼ cups of  the flour, the sugar, baking powder and salt to a large bowl and mix well to combine
• In a separate bowl, use an electric hand whisk to cream the butter and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes)
• Add the milk mixture to the butter mixture and whisk for a further 2-3 minutes
• Add the flour mixture, 1/3 at a time until well combined and then set aside
• Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie
• Fold 1.5 cups of the cake mixture to the melted chocolate and set aside
• Add the orange zest, juice and remaining ¼ cup flour to the remaining cake batter and mix well to combine
• Alternately dollop the two batters into the greased loaf tin and use a butter knife to create a marble effect
• Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean
• Allow to cool in the tin for 5 -10 minutes before removing from the tin and cool completely before slicing
• Store in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days

 

Thanks to Charlotte (@charlotteemma) for this recipe.