Description
This delightful heart-shaped chocolate cake is perfect for special occasions or just because!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup oil (neutral, like canola or grapeseed oil)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup full-fat sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon warm coffee
- 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (150 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons (28 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 splash of heavy cream (or milk) (as necessary)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350, and position a rack in the lower third of the oven.
- Line a 6″ round cake pan (with 2″ sides) with parchment paper on the bottom, and lightly grease the sides with oil.
- Next, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, sour cream, egg, vanilla and coffee.
- Combine the two bowls, mixing just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the cake pan, and bake for 29-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the pan by carefully tilting it into one hand, peel off the parchment from the bottom, and then place it on a small cake stand.
- Combine the butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Beat this together until light and fluffy.
- Add the cocoa powder, and beat again, adding small splashes of milk or cream to make it all come together.
- Now, make the heart cake: place the cake on a flat surface. Use a knife to trim off two half-moon shaped pieces. Flip the larger remaining piece upside down so the pointy part is facing you.
- Using a small amount of frosting, adhere the moon-shaped pieces to the outside upper edge to make a heart shape.
- Chill the cake until the frosting-attached pieces are set for about 1 hour.
- When the heart shape is set, use the remaining frosting to decorate the cake.
Notes
- If you under-bake the cake, it will slightly sink, so check it!
- Chill the cake until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20 grams
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 10 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
- Cholesterol: 40 mg