Tornado Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Tornado Cake is a delightful swirl of rich cocoa and cinnamon flavors, set in a moist and tender vanilla cake. Its beautiful marbled pattern makes it as stunning as it is delicious, perfect for sharing with family or guests.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1.5 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Add the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined without overworking the batter.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the buttermilk, mixing gently until the batter is smooth and uniform.
5. Step 5: In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, 0.75 cup sugar, and cinnamon to create the tornado swirl mixture.
6. Step 6: Pour about two-thirds of the cake batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the tornado swirl mixture evenly over the batter to ensure a consistent swirl effect.
8. Step 8: Carefully pour the remaining one-third of the cake batter over the swirl layer.
9. Step 9: Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the batter layers to create a tornado effect. Be careful not to over-swirl as this can blend the layers too much.
10. Step 10: Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Step 11: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, substitute half of the buttermilk with sour cream.
• Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the swirl mixture for added texture.
• Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl instead of a knife for finer patterns.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Storage

Store the Tornado Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it well and refrigerate for up to one week. Reheat gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle before adding to the batter.

How do I achieve the tornado swirl effect?

The swirl effect is created by layering the plain batter and the cinnamon-cocoa sugar mixture, then gently swirling a knife or skewer through the layers without overmixing. This creates a marbled design once baked.

Tornado Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 142 reviews

This Tornado Cake is a visually stunning and delicious dessert featuring a marbled swirl of cocoa and cinnamon within a moist, tender vanilla cake base. The unique tornado effect is created by layering and swirling two batters to produce an eye-catching pattern, making it perfect for special occasions or an impressive everyday treat.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Batter

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk

Tornado Swirl

• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan to prevent the cake from sticking.
2. Mix dry ingredients for cake batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, 1.5 cups granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until fully combined.
3. Add wet ingredients: Add the softened unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, ensuring not to overwork the batter.
4. Incorporate buttermilk: Gradually add the buttermilk while mixing until the batter is smooth and cohesive, taking care not to overmix which could toughen the cake.
5. Prepare tornado swirl mixture: In a small bowl, combine unsweetened cocoa powder, 0.75 cup granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon, mixing thoroughly to create the swirl component.
6. Layer the cake batter: Pour about two-thirds of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
7. Add the tornado swirl: Sprinkle the cocoa-cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the layer of batter in the pan, ensuring good coverage.
8. Top with remaining batter: Carefully pour the remaining one-third of the cake batter over the swirl mixture without disturbing it.
9. Create the tornado swirl effect: Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl through the layered batters to create a tornado-like marbled pattern. Avoid over-swizzling to maintain distinct swirls.
10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
11. Cool the cake: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Do not overmix the cake batter to keep the cake tender and light.
• Use a knife or skewer gently while swirling to maintain a distinct pattern without blending the layers too much.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
• Allow the cake to cool completely for easier slicing and better slice definition.
• This cake pairs wonderfully with a dusting of powdered sugar or a light glaze.

Keywords: Tornado Cake, marbled cake, cocoa swirl cake, cinnamon cake, baked dessert, layered cake, visually stunning cake