Description
This delightful heart-shaped chocolate cake is perfect for any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for the chocolate version)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch heart-shaped baking pans with non-stick spray or butter, then dust them lightly with flour and tap out the excess.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder (if you’re making the chocolate version). This ensures the leavening is evenly distributed for a fluffy cake.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the yolk is fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined—be careful not to overmix, or the cake will be dense.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared heart-shaped pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
- For a chocolate version, use cocoa powder in the batter.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 70mg