Cake Marbling

Creating effective marbled patterns requires understanding batter consistency and proper technique. Reserve a portion of base batter and enhance with both color and complementary flavor - lemon curd intensifies both yellow color and citrus taste. Drop batters in alternating spoonfuls rather than pouring in sections for better distribution. Use knife tip to create gentle figure-8 swirls, working from one end to the other without overworking. 

Too much swirling creates muddy colors instead of distinct patterns. The contrast should be visible when sliced, creating appealing visual interest. 

This technique works with various flavor combinations - chocolate and vanilla, strawberry and plain, or spice variations.