Heart-Shaped Cake

Name: Heart-Shaped Cake
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 16 serving(s)
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 c. natural unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process); 2 1/4 c. granulated sugar; 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar; 2 tsp. baking soda; 3/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1 1/2 c. whole milk; 3/4 c. canola oil; 3 large eggs; 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1 1/4 c. boiling water; 2 8-oz pkg cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 2 c. confectioners’ sugar; Sprinkles, nonpareils and hearts, for decorating

The perfect dessert for your sweetheart.

By Kate MerkerPublished: Dec 9, 2020

2 Ratings

Mike Garten

Yields:

16 serving(s)

Total Time:

2 hrs

Jump to recipe

You don’t need a fancy baking pan to make this chocolate heart-shaped cake recipe, all you need is one square and one round cake, plus a few strategic cuts to turn the two confections into one lovable dessert.

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Ingredients

Cakes

Nonstick cooking spray
2 1/2 cups
all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups
natural unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
2 1/4 cups
granulated sugar
3/4 cup
packed light brown sugar
2 tsp.
baking soda
3/4 tsp.
kosher salt
1/2 tsp.
baking powder
1 1/2 cups
whole milk
3/4 cup
canola oil
3
large eggs
1 1/2 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups
boiling water

Frosting and decorations

2
8-oz pkg cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup
(1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups
confectioners’ sugar
Sprinkles, nonpareils and hearts, for decorating

Directions

1. Step 1Heat oven to 350°F. Coat one 9-inch square cake pan and one 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment; spray parchment.
2. Step 2In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, granulated and brown sugars, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, oil, eggs and vanilla extract and mix into flour mixture until fully incorporated. Mix in boiling water (batter will be thin).
3. Step 3Divide batter among prepared pans and bake until wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in pans before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
4. Step 4Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Beat in confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
5. Step 5Place square cake on large board or serving platter, orienting it like a diamond. Cut round cake in half. Use some frosting to stick round halves to 2 sides of square to make a heart. Frost sides and top with remaining frosting.
6. Step 6Decorate as desired with sprinkles, nonpareils, and hearts.

Nutritional information: About 565 cal, 29 g fat (11.5 g sat), 7 g pro, 410 mg sodium, 75 g carb, 3 g fiber

How To Make a Heart Shaped Cake

Mike Garten

Cut round cake in half.

placing round cake onto square cake to form a heart

Mike Garten

Place square cake on large board or serving platter, orienting it like a diamond. Use some frosting to stick round halves to 2 sides of square to make a heart.