With swirls of chocolate and vanilla in every bite, this marble bundt cake is hard to resist!
The perfect balance of rich chocolate and light vanilla, this recipe is sure to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.
This dessert turns out moist, fluffy, and irresistible—check out my other hacks for turning a boxed mix into more delicious desserts.
Marble cake has been a beloved dessert for centuries, believed to have first appeared in Europe during the 18th century. Its signature swirl comes from blending light and dark batters to create a beautiful marbled pattern.
Originally made with different flours for a soft, fluffy texture, modern versions typically use chocolate and vanilla batters—though you can experiment with many flavor combinations. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make it effortlessly using a simple box of vanilla cake mix.
Enjoy it plain or with frosting—either way, marble cake remains a timeless treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Check out my other Cake Mix Baking Secrets that includes a fun free printable with helpful tips for making more Easy Dessert Recipes.
Table of Contents
Tips for Baking with a Cake Mix
Many people love to bake, but sometimes cooking from scratch can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there's a shortcut: cake mix. Cake mix is a premade mixture of flour, sugar, baking powder, and other dry ingredients.
All you need to do is add wet ingredients like eggs and oil, and then bake according to the directions on the box. While cake mix is convenient, there are a few things you can do to make your cake even better:
- First, try substituting part of the oil with melted butter; this will give your cake a richer flavor.
- Second, add an extra egg; this will make your cake more dense and moist.
- Finally, don't be afraid to get creative with your mix-ins; adding fruit, chocolate chips, or even nuts can turn a simple cake into a delicious dessert.
With these tips in mind, you can bake a delicious cake that everyone will enjoy all without spending hours in the kitchen.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 large eggs
- Sour cream
- Vegetable oil
- Water
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, vegetable oil, sugar, and water. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat on high speed for about 5 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined. Set the batter aside while you melt the chocolate.
How to Create the Marbled Chocolate Swirl
Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
Step 3: Scoop out ⅓ of the prepared cake batter and mix it into the melted chocolate until fully combined.
Step 4: Grease a Bundt pan well with non-stick cooking spray with flour. Pour half of the yellow cake batter into the pan, followed by the chocolate batter, then top with the remaining yellow cake batter.
Step 5: Use a butter knife to gently swirl the batters together, creating a marbled effect.
Quick Tip: Be careful when you're swirling the chocolate into the cake batter. You don't want the vanilla cake batter to turn chocolate!
Baking Instructions
Step 6: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30–35 minutes. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before removing. Let it cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Before You Begin!
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Storage, Freezing and Thawing Tips
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Freezer: To freeze the cake, wrap in plastic wrap then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thawing: For best results, thaw the cake in the refrigerator overnight. This method takes longer but helps prevent the cake from becoming soggy.
More Easy Cake Mix Dessert Recipes:
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
- Four Different Cake Mix Cookie Recipes
- Chocolate Chunk Muffins
📖 Recipe Card
Marble Bundt Cake Recipe from a Cake Mix
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20 - 30 second intervals. Stir and repeat the chocolate is melted.
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, vegetable oil, sugar and water in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer or stand mixer. Beat on high for 5 minutes or until everything is combined.
- Remove ⅓ of the cake batter and stir it into the melted chocolate mixing well.
- Spread half of the yellow cake mix batter into the cake pan that has been sprayed well with cooking spray. Then spread the chocolate batter on top followed by the remaining yellow cake batter. Using a butter knife, swirl the batters together to create the "marbled" look.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the pan and let cool completely.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2016 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Jayne says
Cake mixes can contain different amounts of mix. What brand do you use?
Lois says
Great question! I usually use Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker cake mixes for this recipe since they’re both around 15.25 ounces. If your mix is slightly different in size, the recipe should still work fine without adjustments.
Stella Bayer says
Any changes needed for high altitude baking?
Thanks
Lois says
Please refer to the back of the cake mix box for high altitude baking instructions. Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Sharan says
I made this yesterday and was very pleased with it - was trying to figure out why it was so "non-sweet" and figured out the chips I used were probably more of a bittersweet than regular chips, I have a good store for bulk foods so can get smaller amounts of things that part get used and the rest waits. Anyway, good outcome.
Lois says
Yes, bittersweet chips would do that! Thank you for leaving a comment!
Kay Stevens Miller says
Any substitute for sour cream? I don’t want to go back to the store. I'm making it for a friend that is turning 101 years old!
Lois says
Happy Birthday to your friend! You could use Greek yogurt! Or leave it out.
Linda Campbell says
Could I use cream cheese instead of sour cream? If so, how much? Thanks
Lois says
Substituting cream cheese for sour cream in this marble bundt cake won't work due to cream cheese's density, lack of tanginess, and poor marbling ability. These differences would result in a dry, overly sweet cake with a poor texture. Instead, consider using plain yogurt or buttermilk; although the recipe has only been tested using sour cream
Please let me know how the recipe turns out for you!
Leah says
I made this over the weekend and it was phenomenal. I especially liked that the chocolate part had a gooey texture due to the chocolate chips. It made for a nice juxtaposition between the two batters. I will be making this again. I wonder if I could sub white chocolate for milk chocolate??
Lois says
I don't see why you couldn't make the substitution! Let me know how it turns out. Thanks for following!
Lane Tokarski says
Can you tell me what chocolate chips you use for the marble cake; semi sweet, or what?
ltconrad68@gmail.com
Lois says
I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. I will update the recipe card to indicate that. Thank you!
Sherry Nappa says
This looks so good! I love bundt cakes. They're easy yet so delish! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday.