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Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake

prep time: 45 min | bake time: 40 min | total time: 1.5 hrs

This Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake is a showstopper with its rich cocoa and vibrant red velvet swirls topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. The cake is unbelievably moist, soft, eggless and easy to make. Its festive appeal and delightful flavor make it ideal for holiday gatherings, brunches, or simply as a treat for yourself!

Easy Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake

Who doesn’t love a cake that reads difficult to make but is actually secretly super easy? This Red Velvet Marbled Loaf Cake is paired with a thick layer of Cream Cheese Icing and it’s the answer to all of your baking prayers! It’s eggless, it’s moist and it’s ready in one hour! This visually stunning loaf combines rich cocoa and vibrant red velvet swirls, topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese icing.

The cake is naturally egg free, can easily be made vegan and an indulgent dessert that everyone can enjoy without a bellyache!  If you love the classic combination of red velvet and cream cheese, this is the loaf cake that you need to be making. Don’t blame me if it becomes a favorite, gets eaten in one day or you make another one the same week! It’s just that addictive. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a Valentine’s treat, or simply indulging your cravings, this loaf cake delivers elegance and ease in every bite. 

What is Marble Cake?

Marble cake is a classic dessert that combines two contrasting batters, often chocolate and vanilla are swirled together to create a stunning marbled effect in the batter. This Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake takes it a step further with vibrant red velvet swirls and a touch of cocoa, creating a visually striking and flavorful treat!

Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake Ingredients

  • Milk: Essential for adding moisture to the batter. Use plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
  • White Vinegar: Helps create a buttermilk substitute, adding tanginess and softness to the cake.
  • Plain Unsweetened Yogurt: Enhances moisture and acts as a binding agent in this eggless recipe. Use dairy free yogurt if necessary.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake tender and moist. You can use any neutral oil for this recipe.
  • Cane Sugar: Sweetens the cake while maintaining its soft texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavors tying all those delicious flavors together.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base for the loaf’s structure. You can use an all purpose gluten free flour if necessary, just make sure it has xanthan gum in it.
  • Cornstarch: Makes the crumb tender and light.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Ensure the loaf rises beautifully.
  • Cocoa Powder: Provides the classic red velvet chocolatey undertone. 
  • Red Food Coloring: Creates the vibrant red swirls that are a signature of red velvet.

For the Cream Cheese Icing

  • Cream Cheese: Adds tanginess to balance the sweetness. Use dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan version.
  • Butter: Makes the frosting rich and creamy. Substitute with vegan butter if needed.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the icing and thickens the texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.

How to Make Red Velvet Loaf

Prepare the Batter

Start by creating a homemade buttermilk substitute by mixing milk, vinegar, and yogurt in a medium-sized bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes until it curdles slightly—this step is key to achieving a soft and moist crumb. Add the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract, and whisk the mixture until the sugar has dissolved completely. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, and baking soda, to ensure there are no lumps. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can result in a dense cake, so be cautious.

Create the Marbling Effect

Divide the prepared batter into two portions. To one portion, add sifted cocoa powder and red food coloring. Stir gently until the color is even and vibrant. In a greased and lined loaf pan, start layering by pouring half of the red velvet batter, followed by all the vanilla batter, and finish with the remaining red velvet batter. Use a knife or skewer to create gentle swirls, achieving the classic marbled look. Take care not to overmix the layers while swirling.

Bake and Cool

Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C). Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes. Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before frosting. This step ensures the cream cheese frosting doesn’t melt when applied.

Decorate the Cake

Prepare the cream cheese frosting by whipping together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Once the loaf has fully cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting on top using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Smooth the frosting for a clean finish, or create swirls for a more rustic look. Slice into thick, beautiful slices and enjoy immediately or store for later.

Storing Red Velvet Loaf

Whether served fresh or stored for later, this Red Velvet Loaf Cake remains soft, moist, and utterly irresistible! To keep your cake fresh and delicious:

  • Room Temperature: Store the frosted loaf in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Refrigerator: If you need to store the cake longer, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 7 days. Before serving, allow the cake to come to room temperature to enjoy its best flavor and texture.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

This Red Velvet Loaf Cake is everything you love in a dessert, it’s soft, moist, and beautifully. The marbled effect elevates this cake and makes each slice of the loaf exciting and unique. It’s rich in flavor, combining hints of cocoa and tangy red velvet with a smooth cream cheese frosting. Egg-free and easily made vegan, it’s perfect for any celebration, from holidays to Valentine’s Day, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent and festive!

Marble Cake Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Making This Red Velvet Loaf Cake

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room-temperature milk and yogurt for a smoother batter.
  • Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter gently to avoid a dense texture.
  • Use a Loaf Pan: Ensure even baking by greasing and lining the pan with parchment paper.
  • Let the Cake Cool Completely: Frosting a warm cake can cause the icing to melt.
  • Add a Decorative Touch: Use a few crumbs from the trimmed loaf for garnish.

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Meet Saloni

I’m a former pastry chef with a love for breads, cakes and everything in between! My recipes are easy to follow, egg free and are designed to be shared with others!

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Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake

This Red Velvet Marble Loaf Cake is a showstopper with its rich cocoa and vibrant red velvet swirls topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. The cake is unbelievably moist, soft, eggless and easy to make. Its festive appeal and delightful flavor make it ideal for holiday gatherings, brunches, or simply as a treat for yourself!  
Author: Saloni Mehta
Rate
Yield: 10 servings
Prep: 45 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients

Vanilla Cake Batter Ingredients

  • 240 ml Milk* room temperature
  • 15 ml White Vinegar*
  • 60 g Plain Unsweetened Yogurt*
  • 75 ml Vegetable Oil
  • 200 g Cane Sugar*
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 220 g All Purpose Flour
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • ¾ tsp Baking Powder
  • ¾ tsp Baking Soda

For Red Velvet Batter Ingredients

  • 5 g Cocoa Powder
  • 1-2 tsp Red food Coloring add more if needed

Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients

  • 110 g Cream Cheese* soft
  • 45 g Butter* soft
  • 60 g Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
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Instructions

Cake Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare an 8-inch (20cm) loaf pan by lightly greasing the bottom of the pan and the sides of the baking sheet with oil and line it with an overhang of baking paper.
  • In a medium sized mixing bowl combine milk, vinegar and yogurt. Allow this mixture to sit for a few minutes until it is slightly curdled.
  • Add sugar, oil and vanilla extract, mix using a whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
  • In a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda salt.
  • Sift dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients and mix.
  • Pour 3/4 of the prepared batter in a separate bowl. To this add sifted cocoa powder and red food color. Mix to get a smooth red colored batter.
  • Pour half of the red cake batter into the base of the loaf pan followed by all the vanilla batter and top it with the remaining red cake batter.
  • Use an offset spatula to smooth the top and then create swirls using a knife.
  • Bake the loaf cake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top of the cake is firm to touch and a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs attached.
  • Cool the cake in the loaf pan on a wire rack completely for 45 minutes. Then remove it from the loaf pan and allow it to cool completely on the wire rack.

Cream Cheese Icing Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract.
  • Use a whisk to mix until it becomes light and fluffy.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, half at a time, and continue mixing until smooth and fluffy.
  • Once the loaf cake has fully cooled, transfer it to a plate and spread a very thick layer of cream cheese icing.
  • Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth out the icing.
  • Slice the loaf into thick slices and serve.
  • For best results, store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days or in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Notes

  • Cup vs weighing scale: The US customary cup measurement serves as a rough estimate, as it can have uncertainties, so for precise results, it's recommended to weigh your ingredients using a digital scale in grams.
  • Before you start to make any recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the process will go smoothly and easily.
  • For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with for accuracy.
  • Milk: You can use any dairy-free unsweetened milk (like almond, soy, oat) or dairy based whole milk.
  • Butter: Dairy-free butter sticks or any butter of your choice.
  • Lemon Juice: You can substitute with Apple Cider Vinegar / White Vinegar and vice-versa.
  • Sugar: Cane sugar can be substituted with granulated sugar or castor sugar. Ensure the sugar is vegan-friendly (some sugars are processed with bone char) or use organic cane sugar.
  • Cream Cheese: Dairy-free cream cheese or any plain full fat cream cheese of your choice.
  • Plain Yogurt: Dairy-free unsweetened yogurt or any plain greek yogurt of your choice.

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