I've always said the way to a lady's heart is via Marble Cake, Marble Arch, swiftly followed by a shopping spell in Oxford Street.  This classic cake from your childhood truly is the perfect tea time treat for grown-ups.

Ingredients

• 175g/6oz butter
• 175g/6oz caster sugar
• 3 free-range eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 225g/8oz self-raising flour pinch salt
• 2 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp strong black coffee, cooled

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

2. Grease and line a small loaf tin or 20cm/8in round tin.

3. Cream the butter and sugar with an electric whisk in a large mixing bowl until very pale and fluffy.

4. Add the beaten egg, a little at a time, whisking well after each addition.

5. Then whisk in the vanilla extract. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl, then fold it gently into the butter and egg mixture.

6. Divide the cake batter into two equal portions (about 350g each). Add the milk to one portion of the mixture, stirring in gently until well combined.

7. Mix the cocoa powder and the coffee together in a mug to form a smooth paste. Stir this paste into the other portion of the cake batter until thoroughly combined.

8. Spoon large blobs of each cake mixture into the prepared tin, alternating the flavours to give a marble effect. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the cake is springy to the touch and a wooden skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

9. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for ten minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Nigel holds exclusive classes in his own cookery school kitchen. For more information log on to www.nigelbrownchef.co.uk