Marble Gugelhupf (Marmorgugelhupf)

This tender, buttery cake is based on the Marble Gugelhupf at Demel in Vienna, although I've added baking powder to give it the lighter crumb Americans prefer.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces high-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

• 2 cups cake flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 1/8 cups (2 sticks plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature

• 1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar

• 6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• confectioners sugar, for garnish

Instructions

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350°F. Using a cylinder-shaped pastry brush, butter the inside of a 9- to 9 1/2-inch Gugelhupf mold. Coat with flour, tapping out the excess.

2. Melt the chocolate in the top part of a double boiler over hot (not simmering) water or in a microwave oven. Remove from the heat and cool, stirring occasionally, until tepid.

3. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Mix the milk and vanilla in a liquid measuring cup.

4. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a hand-held electric mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. On low speed, beat in the confectioners sugar, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the mixture is very light in color and texture, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time.

5. Using clean beaters, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the granulated sugar until the whites form shiny, soft peaks. Stir about one fourth of the whites into the batter. Stir in half of the flour, then half of the milk; repeat. Fold in the remaining whites. Transfer about one-third of the batter to a medium bowl and stir in the melted chocolate.

6. Spread half of the plain batter in the pan. Spoon in the chocolate batter, then top with the remaining plain batter. Zigzag a knife through the batter.

7. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert onto the rack and cool completely. Before serving, sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Make Ahead: The cake can be made up to 1 day ahead, wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored at room temperature.