Marble Molasses Pound Cake

I always thought marble cake was a fifties twist on the familiar layer cake, but I was wrong. The custom of swirling two contrasting shades and flavors of batter into a marbled design dates back to the pound cakes of the 1800s. Molasses or another kind of syrup often provided the color and flavor, boosted by a generous hand with spices, which were always freshly ground. The resulting cake is delicious as well as gorgeous. Getting the swirls and whirls just right is an extra pleasure for the