Zebra Cake without Sour Cream
This soft and tender Zebra Cake is made with kefir and vegetable oil instead of sour cream. Alternating vanilla and cocoa batters create its distinctive striped pattern.
Updated : 06 October, 2026
Easy
About 30 min.
Ingredients
3
Eggs
180 grams
Sugar
250 milliliters
Kefir
125 milliliters
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoon
Cocoa
1 tablespoon
Vanilla sugar
to taste
Salt
8 grams
Baking powder
300 grams
Wheat flour
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Measure the ingredients. All ingredients should be at room temperature. Take the kefir out of the refrigerator beforehand; you can use kefir with any fat content.
Step 2
Mix the flour with the baking powder and sift. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the flour separately.
Step 3
Beat the eggs with the sugar, vanilla sugar and salt using an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
Step 4
Pour the kefir and vegetable oil into the egg mixture and mix on low speed until smooth.
Step 5
Add the sifted flour and baking powder mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated.
Step 6
The finished batter should be medium-thick, similar to slightly runny sour cream.
Step 7
Divide the batter into 2 equal portions, using kitchen scales if desired. Add the reserved 2 tablespoons of flour to one portion and mix until smooth.
Step 8
Sift the cocoa powder into the other portion of batter and mix thoroughly until you have a smooth chocolate batter.
Step 9
Use any suitable ovenproof baking pan. A silicone pan does not need greasing, while a metal, ceramic or glass pan should be lightly greased with vegetable oil. The original recipe uses an 8-inch round pan. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the light batter into the center of the pan, holding the spoon vertically.
Step 10
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the chocolate batter directly into the center of the light batter. The batters will spread outward in circles and begin forming the striped pattern.
Step 11
Continue alternating the light and chocolate batters in the same way until all the batter has been used.
Step 12
Bake in an oven preheated to 340°F for 50–55 minutes. Check for doneness with a wooden skewer inserted into the center; it should come out dry, without wet batter. If the top browns before the center is baked through, loosely cover the pan with foil and continue baking until done. Remove the finished cake from the pan and allow it to cool.
Step 13
Slice the Zebra Cake into portions and serve.
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