Heart-Shaped Cake: the perfect dessert to make this Valentine’s Day

Heart-shaped cake is a wonderful dessert you can serve up for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or simply to let someone know you care. This delicious cake is a classic red velvet cake, with the same irresistible lighter-than-air, moist, soft texture, and subtle chocolate-vanilla flavor, topped off with decadent cream cheese frosting.

The best part? You don't need a heart-shaped cake pan to make it! If you have a round cake pan and a square cake pan, you're all set. While this version of heart-shaped cake is for red velvet flavor, you can easily change the flavor to the one your sweetheart loves best.

How to Make Heart-shaped Cake

Making a heart-shaped cake is incredibly easy. If you're planning a Valentine's Day or anniversary menu, and want to make this romantic red velvet cake, here's what to do. Start by lining your round cake pan and square cake pan with parchment paper, then grease them with cooking spray. Whip the butter and sugar together, then whisk the eggs in one at a time, followed by the vanilla.

Mix the dry ingredients in a second bowl. Mix half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, followed by the buttermilk, vinegar, and food coloring. Mix in the rest of the flour mixture. Divvy up the cake batter between the two pans.

Bake the cakes for 25 to 30 minutes at 350F, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Leave the cakes to cool completely before decorating them with the frosting.

While the cakes are cooling down, mix the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar until fluffy, then add in the vanilla and salt.

To make the heart shape, slice the round cake in half. Rotate the square cake so it looks like a diamond, then put each half of the round cake on either side of the top half of the diamond. Cover the cake with the frosting, and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Heart-shaped Cake

Use room temperature ingredients to make your cake batter. They'll blend more easily and help prevent you from overmixing the batter.

Simplify your baking by using cake mix instead of making the cake entirely from scratch.

Don't overmix the batter.

Jazz up your heart-shaped cake by garnishing it with colorful sprinkles or chocolate shavings.

Your cakes are done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean and crumb-free.

How to Store Heart-shaped Cake

Cover any leftover cake and keep it at room temperature for two to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate the cake for up to four days.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F. Line both your round cake pan and square cake pan with parchment paper, then spray with cooking spray.

Step 1

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350F. Line both your round cake pan and square cake pan with parchment paper, then spray with cooking spray.

In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 2

Step 2

In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a second bowl, cream butter and sugar together until whipped and airy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla. Slowly beat half the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Beat in buttermilk.

Step 3

Step 3

In a second bowl, cream butter and sugar together until whipped and airy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla. Slowly beat half the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Beat in buttermilk.

Add in the vinegar.

Step 4

Step 4

Add in the vinegar.

Add in the food coloring. Mix in the rest of the flour mixture.

Step 5

Step 5

Add in the food coloring. Mix in the rest of the flour mixture.

Pour the cake batter into the two pans.

Step 6

Step 6

Pour the cake batter into the two pans.

Spread the batter evenly.

Step 7

Step 7

Spread the batter evenly.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove them and set them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

Step 8

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes, then remove them and set them on a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, combine the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt.

Step 9

Step 9

To make the frosting, combine the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt.

Slice the round cake in half.

Step 10

Step 10

Slice the round cake in half.

Turn the square cake so it looks like a diamond, then put each half of the round cake on either side of the top half of the diamond. Spread the frosting generously.

Step 11

Step 11

Turn the square cake so it looks like a diamond, then put each half of the round cake on either side of the top half of the diamond. Spread the frosting generously.

Cover the entire cake, and add any desired garnishes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Use an 8-inch round cake pan and an 8-inch square pan to make this cake.