Red Green Matcha Marble Cake

Featured in: Sweet Treats

This marble cake combines vibrant green matcha and red berry swirls, creating a visually stunning and moist dessert. The batter is carefully layered and swirled to produce a beautiful marbled effect that blends subtle earthiness from the matcha with fruity red berry highlights. Baked to perfection, it offers a tender crumb ideal for teatime or gathering treats. Adding fresh raspberries or a lemon glaze can enhance the flavor profile, pairing wonderfully with green tea or sparkling wine.

Updated on Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:13:00 GMT
Vibrant layers of red and green swirl matcha marble pound cake, moist and delicious, perfect for any occasion. Pin
Vibrant layers of red and green swirl matcha marble pound cake, moist and delicious, perfect for any occasion. | garlicgroove.com

A visually stunning and deliciously moist pound cake featuring vibrant swirls of matcha and ruby-red berry flavors, perfect for teatime or as a festive treat.

This cake has become a favorite at my teatime gatherings, impressing guests with its beautiful marbled effect and rich flavors.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened, 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar, 4 large eggs room temperature, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk room temperature
  • Matcha Swirl: 1 ½ tbsp culinary-grade matcha powder, 1 tbsp milk
  • Red Swirl: 3 tbsp raspberry puree (strained seeds removed) or strawberry puree, 2 tsp red food coloring gel (optional for deeper color)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a bowl whisk together flour baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy 3 4 minutes.
Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
Combine Flour and Milk:
On low speed alternate adding the flour mixture and milk beginning and ending with flour until just combined Do not overmix.
Divide Batter:
Divide the batter evenly into three bowls.
Create Matcha Swirl:
In the first bowl mix matcha powder and 1 tbsp milk until smooth then fold into the batter to create the green swirl.
Create Red Swirl:
In the second bowl fold in raspberry puree and food coloring if using for the red swirl.
Prepare Vanilla Layer:
Leave the third bowl plain for the vanilla layer.
Layer Batters:
Spoon alternating dollops of each batter into the prepared loaf pan Use a skewer or butter knife to gently swirl the batters together for a marbled effect.
Remove Air Bubbles:
Smooth the top and tap the pan gently to remove air bubbles.
Bake:
Bake for 50 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Pin
| garlicgroove.com

My family eagerly awaits this cake at every celebration; the colorful swirls always spark joy around the table.

Serving Suggestions

Serve slices with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple lemon glaze alongside green tea or sparkling wine.

Variations

Add fresh chopped raspberries or strawberries into the red swirl batter for an extra berry punch or omit the food coloring for a more natural look.

Storage

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze wrapped tightly for longer keeping.

A close-up of a sliced red & green swirl matcha marble pound cake, showing its beautiful marbled interior, ready to serve. Pin
A close-up of a sliced red & green swirl matcha marble pound cake, showing its beautiful marbled interior, ready to serve. | garlicgroove.com

Enjoy this elegant matcha marble pound cake as a delightful treat that brightens any occasion.

Recipe Questions

How do I achieve vibrant swirls in the cake?

Divide the batter into separate bowls for each color. Gently fold matcha powder with milk for the green swirl and blend raspberry puree for the red. Layer and swirl carefully in the pan without overmixing to keep distinct colors.

Can I substitute the raspberries with another fruit?

Yes, strawberry puree can be used as an excellent substitute to maintain the red swirl and fruity flavor.

What baking pan size is recommended?

A 9x5-inch loaf pan works best to create the correct thickness and baking time for even cooking and optimal texture.

How to ensure the cake stays moist?

Use softened butter and avoid overmixing. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk slowly to preserve tenderness and moisture.

What beverages pair well with this cake?

This cake pairs wonderfully with green tea or a crisp sparkling wine to complement its earthy and fruity layers.

Red Green Matcha Marble Cake

Moist marble cake featuring matcha and red berry swirls with a soft, tender crumb.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
55 min
Complete duration
80 min


Complexity Medium

Heritage Fusion (Japanese-Inspired)

Output 10 Portions

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
02 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
02 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar (250 g)
03 4 large eggs, room temperature
04 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 ½ cup whole milk, room temperature (120 ml)

Matcha Swirl

01 1 ½ tablespoons culinary-grade matcha powder
02 1 tablespoon milk

Red Swirl

01 3 tablespoons raspberry or strawberry puree, strained
02 2 teaspoons red food coloring gel (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare baking pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Step 02

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

Step 03

Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 04

Add eggs and vanilla: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.

Step 05

Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk: On low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined without overmixing.

Step 06

Divide batter: Evenly divide batter into three separate bowls.

Step 07

Prepare matcha swirl batter: Stir matcha powder and 1 tablespoon milk into one batter bowl until smooth, then fold gently.

Step 08

Prepare red swirl batter: Fold raspberry puree and optional food coloring into second batter bowl.

Step 09

Leave vanilla batter plain: Keep the third portion of batter plain for the vanilla layer.

Step 10

Create marble effect: Spoon alternating dollops of each batter into the loaf pan. Use a skewer or butter knife to gently create swirls for a marbled pattern.

Step 11

Smooth and remove air bubbles: Level the top and tap the pan gently to release any trapped air.

Step 12

Bake: Bake for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 13

Cool before slicing: Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting.

Necessary tools

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Skewer or butter knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and speak with a healthcare provider if you're uncertain about anything.
  • Contains gluten (wheat), eggs, and dairy products
  • Verify food coloring allergens if used

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 320
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Protein: 5 g