These Homemade Zebra Cakes are a delicious and fun treat that combines soft yellow cake, a creamy filling, and a rich chocolate coating. With their iconic zebra pattern, they’re sure to impress at any gathering or as a special dessert!
Ingredients
Yellow Cake:
- 3 cups cake flour
- 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups sugar
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Filling:
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
White Chocolate Coating:
- 16 oz. white chocolate melting chips
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
Dark Chocolate Drizzle:
- 4 oz. dark chocolate melting chips
Directions
- Yellow Cake:
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 15×10-inch jelly roll pan and set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually add the sugar, continuing to beat until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Add the egg yolks two at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture in three parts and the milk in two parts, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool completely.
- Filling:
- Make the Filling: Beat together the butter and shortening in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually add the milk, followed by the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until creamy and smooth.
- Assemble the Cakes:
- Once the cake is cool, use a biscuit cutter to cut out circles. Spread a generous amount of filling on the flat side of one cake circle, then top it with another circle, flat side up. Continue this process until all cakes are assembled.
- White Chocolate Coating:
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
- Coat Cakes: Dip each filled cake into the melted white chocolate, using a fork to lift it out. Let the excess chocolate drip off before placing the cake on a piece of wax paper. Allow the coating to set at room temperature.
- Dark Chocolate Drizzle:
- Melt Dark Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl using the same method as for the white chocolate.
- Decorate Cakes: Drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the set white chocolate-coated cakes in a zebra-like pattern.
- Serving and Storage:
- Serving: Let the cakes set completely before serving to ensure the chocolate is firm.
- Storage: Store the cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
These Homemade Zebra Cakes are a deliciously sweet treat, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the blend of soft cake, creamy filling, and rich chocolate!