Rustic Marble Bundt Cake [+ an Ode to Peonies]

Simple homemade Rustic Marble Bundt Cake recipe! It only requires a few basic kitchen staples and a few beautiful frilly peony flowers to visually spice it up.

Every year I look forward to ‘peony season’. Well, it’s officially that time of year again! Vibrant peonies in full bloom! To say I like Their Floral Majesty is an understatement. I adore Peonies! I cherish Peonies! I worship Peonies! Blush pink, bright magenta, stark white or cream, you name it – hence I decided to dress up this stunningly delicious Rustic Marble Bundt Cake with beautiful frilly peony flowers and, as if by magic, turn it into a true showstopper dessert. 

INGREDIENTS

Cake

• 1 cup butter, room temp
• 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, room temp
• 1 cup whole milk
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp table salt

Chocolate swirl

• ⅔ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup whole milk, room temp

Powdered sugar glaze (optional)

• 2 cups powdered sugar, leveled and sifted
• 2-4 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

METHOD

Cake

• Set oven to 350°F and grease and flour the inside of your Bundt cake pan.
• Using a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until smooth, adding the eggs one at a time while mixing on medium.
• Add 2 tbsp pure vanilla extract and mix until well-combined.
• Mix in 1 cup whole milk until combined. 
• Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the mixture and mix on low until incorporated. 
• Spoon half of the mixture into your greased Bundt pan.
• Stir cocoa powder and ½ cup milk into the other half of the batter until combined.
• Using a butter knife or a fork, swirl the cocoa batter into the mixture already poured into your Bundt pan. A zig-zag motion will do perfectly fine. 
• Bake for 50-70 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Powdered sugar glaze

• In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and vanilla, adding milk until you reach your desired consistency of the glaze.
• Drip, drizzle, or pour over your completely cool Bundt cake.

Enjoy!

Tip: If you’re decorating with fresh flowers, wrap the stems with aluminum foil/cling plastic wrap, to ensure the cake is fully edible. 

Tip: Peonies make excellent cut flowers and can last more than a week in a vase, but when using them for cake decor, it’s best to do it on the same day you will be eating the cake.

If you’ve made this Rustic Marble Bundt Cake recipe don’t forget to let me know how you got on in the comments below!