This cake is known to many since childhood. "Zebra" is a secret weapon for many housewives; each one prepares it in her own way and has her own special recipe. This dessert always turns out delicious and fluffy, making a wonderful addition to breakfast or just tea. There are many recipes for this delicacy, but its main secret is creating a zebra-like pattern inside the cake. The dough is usually made with kefir or sour cream. You can find many photos of this cake, but the true joy is creating your own unique design. You can even bake it in a slow cooker (a more modern recipe). This dessert is a lifesaver when unexpected guests arrive; the ingredients are readily available in any home! The "Zebra" will be a stunning addition to your table.

Zebra with sour cream

Zebra Cupcake 2

To bake the Zebra dessert with sour cream instead of kefir, we'll need a modified recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • Half a glass of sugar
  • 100 grams of sour cream
  • 50 grams of butter
  • 1.5 cups of flour
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder

Recipe:

  • Mix eggs and sugar in a deep bowl and beat until smooth.
  • Pour in the sour cream and melted butter (the sour cream should also be allowed to warm up to room temperature).
  • Then you should add the dry ingredients.
  • Sift the flour and baking powder through a sieve (to make your cake airy) and pour into the container with your dough, mix everything.

The secret to the zebra pattern lies in the correct alternation of the multicolored layers of dough. First, divide the dough base into two halves, adding cocoa powder to one half and the same amount of flour to the other. Then, spoon the dough into the pan one at a time, starting from the middle, to create those signature black and white stripes.

Don't forget to grease the pan (or dust it with flour) to prevent the cake from sticking and to ensure it comes off easily. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) until done (this may take 30 to 40 minutes). You can test the Zebra cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the pan, or wait until it's golden brown. Be sure to take a photo of the finished dish as a souvenir!

Zebra on kefir

Zebra Cupcake 3

Alternatively, you can make the basic Zebra cake batter differently, using kefir instead of sour cream. The flavor will be different, and kefir will give the cake a lighter, more crumbly texture. The recipe is simple: here are the ingredients:

  • A glass of kefir
  • 100 g of margarine
  • 50 grams of butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 180 g of sugar
  • 375 g of flour
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 0.5 tbsp of baking soda, quenched with vinegar
  • vanillin, salt to taste

Soften the margarine in a double boiler until it's liquid. Sift the dry ingredients (flour and cocoa) to ensure a fluffy dough. Pour the liquid margarine into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and beat with a mixer until completely dissolved. Then beat in the eggs, add the flour, and pour in the kefir (not all of it; reserve about 50 ml for later use!). The recipe says the fat content of the kefir isn't particularly important. Season the dough with salt, then dissolve the baking soda in vinegar. Beat everything until smooth and liquid.

Now comes the main stage and the secret to the magical zebra pattern. Divide the dough into two halves. Add a pinch of vanilla to one half, and sifted cocoa powder and the remaining kefir to the other. Mix everything thoroughly.

Grease the pan with butter and, starting from the center, pour in the two types of batter, alternating them. Once the pan is filled, experiment—you can create a variety of design effects using a simple toothpick!

Place the pan with the dough in the oven preheated to 180 degrees Celsius and bake for 40-50 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick. The finished "Zebra" cake will remain soft and airy for a long time. You can take a photo of your cake and post it on social media.

Zebra in a slow cooker with mayonnaise

Zebra Cupcake 4

There's another recipe for "Zebra." It uses mayonnaise, but you can also use sour cream or kefir for the dough. You can bake this cake in a slow cooker:

  • To prepare, take eggs, sugar, mayonnaise, butter, cocoa, flour, baking powder and vanilla.
  • Beat eggs with sugar, adding eggs one at a time.
  • Add flour and baking powder (sift!) and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly.
  • Divide the dough in half - add cocoa to one part to make it dark, leave the other part as is.
  • Grease a bowl and layer the multicolored dough. This will give the cake a striped interior (don't forget to take a photo of the cross-section!).
  • The recipe calls for baking in the oven for about 40 minutes, so set it to the "bake" mode for 40-45 minutes, then on the automatic heating for 15-20 minutes.

Once the striped treat is ready, you can decorate the cupcake to your taste – with icing, powdered sugar, or colorful sprinkles.

In short, you can experiment and create your own masterpieces using this cake as a reference. You can decorate it in different ways, add fruit, cottage cheese, or chocolate, and create various designs! Find the recipe that's right for you.

This "Zebra" cake could easily become your signature dish, and people will be asking for the recipe if you show off not only a photo but also a slice of this wonderful dish to your friends. And a photo is a must, because any homemaker can create their own unique "Zebra" cake design!

Zebra Cake Video Recipe