Mini marble cakes

This week I was stuck at home with the flu for two whole days. I was so bored and miserable that I had to bake something to make myself feel better. I also got to use this silicone tray for rose-shaped mini cakes that I recently got as a gift. I've forgotten how yummy marble cake is, and these mini cakes were a nice reminder. Chocolate chips would have made them even better, but unfortunately I didn't have any chocolate at home. Original recipe by BBC Good Food.

For 6 small cakes:

• 110 g butter or margarine (room temperature)
• 110 g sugar
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• 110 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tbsp milk 
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• (optional: chocolate chips)

For a regular-sized marble cake, double the amounts.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 30-40 minutes for the small cakes, 1 hour for a regular-sized cake

What to do:

• Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Combine the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl, then add to the dough in several portions, mixing well after each addition.
• Add the milk and mix well.
• Transfer about a third of the dough to a separate bowl, and add the cocoa powder (and chocolate chips) to this portion. 
• Add vanilla sugar to the "light" portion of the dough.

• Dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes into the tin(s) alternately. Finally, take a knife and swirl it around the mixture to create a marbled effect.

• Bake at 175 C until the surface becomes golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Baking time is 30-40 minutes for small cakes, and up to about an hour for a regular-sized cake.

• Turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool. The cake stores well in the fridge, and can even be frozen for later!