Sweet Temptation in Every Slice
Ever dreamt of a cake that looks as good as it tastes? Picture a luscious, chocolatey heart cake that melts in your mouth — it’s like a hug for your taste buds! This delightful treat makes any occasion special, whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just a Tuesday. The best part? It’s a breeze to whip up!
Why Make This Recipe
You’ll absolutely love making this heart cake for a few fantastic reasons:
Easy Cleanup: With just a couple of bowls and pans, you’ll spend more time devouring cake than scrubbing dishes. Who has time for that?
Perfectly Delicious: Rich chocolate flavor paired with fluffy frosting means this cake is a total crowd-pleaser, perfect for all ages.
Customizable: You can dress it up or keep it simple. So whether it’s a fancy dinner or a casual get-together, this cake fits right in!
Ingredients
You don’t need fancy stuff — just these basics!
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
Ready to get baking? Let’s dive in with these simple steps:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep two heart-shaped cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix well until everything is combined.
Carefully stir in boiling water until the batter is smooth. (Trust me, this step makes the magic happen!)
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
For the frosting, cream butter in a bowl, gradually adding powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with milk, until you reach the desired consistency. Mix in vanilla.
Once the cakes are cool, frost the top of one layer, stack the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides. Decorate as desired and serve!
How to Make Heart Cake (Overview)
Making this heart cake feels effortless. Start by mixing your dry ingredients and then blend in the wet ones — super simple! The boiling water adds a secret tenderness; don’t skip it! Once baked, allow the layers to cool before you slather on that creamy frosting. Pro tip: the longer you let the cakes cool, the sturdier they’ll be for frosting. It’s all about that fresh-baked touch!
How to Serve Heart Cake
Imagine slicing through your heart cake to reveal those soft, rich layers. The chocolate frosting glistens as you serve, sending delightful aromas wafting through the air. Consider topping each slice with fresh strawberries or raspberries for a pop of color and brightness. You could even drizzle some chocolate sauce just for fun! 🍓
How to Store Heart Cake
Want to save some of this decadence for later? Store your heart cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you need to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to three months! Just make sure to wrap it tightly. When it’s time to enjoy again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.
Tips to Make Heart Cake
Here are some insider tricks to level up your heart cake game:
Egg Temperature: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined; a little lumps are okay! Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
Substitution Tip: You can swap vegetable oil for applesauce for a lighter, healthier version.
Frosting Consistency: If your frosting seems too thick, simply add a splash more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar!
Variation
Feeling adventurous? Switch things up by adding espresso powder to the batter for a rich mocha flavor or use almond extract instead of vanilla for a twist. You could also make this cake vegan by substituting the eggs with flax eggs and using plant-based milk!
FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time? Absolutely! Bake the layers a day ahead, wrap them well, and refrigerate. Frost on the day of serving for the freshest taste.
What can I use instead of cocoa powder? If you’re feeling fancy, use Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper flavor, or replace it with unsweetened baking chocolate.
How can I make my heart cake more festive? Add fun sprinkles on top of the frosting, or pipe decorations using your frosting for that extra flair!
📌 Pin this recipe for your next cozy dinner night!
Heart Cake
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prep two heart-shaped cake pans by greasing and flouring them.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Carefully stir in boiling water until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, cream butter in a bowl, gradually adding powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with milk, until you reach the desired consistency. Mix in vanilla.
- Once the cakes are cool, frost the top of one layer, stack the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides. Decorate as desired and serve!
