How should a well-made marble cake look like?

A well-made marble cake typically exhibits the following characteristics:

1. Balanced Appearance: The cake should showcase a visually pleasing balance between the vanilla and chocolate batters, creating an attractive marbling effect. The swirls of chocolate and vanilla should be evenly distributed throughout the cake.

2. Even Baking: The cake should be evenly baked, resulting in a level top without excessive doming or sinking. It should rise evenly and consistently throughout.

3. Moist Texture: A well-made marble cake should have a moist and tender crumb. It shouldn't be overly dense or dry, but rather, light and fluffy.

4. Rich Flavor: The cake should offer a harmonious combination of vanilla and chocolate flavors. The chocolate batter should be deep and decadent, while the vanilla batter should provide a contrasting sweetness and lightness.

5. Smooth Texture: The cake's texture should be smooth and velvety, without any noticeable graininess or lumps.

6. Golden Crust: The exterior of the cake should develop a golden-brown crust, indicating proper baking and caramelization.

7. No Visible Batter: When slicing into the cake, there should be no noticeable streaks of unmixed batter. The batters should be thoroughly incorporated, resulting in a cohesive and well-blended cake.