Easy Chocolate Heart Cake

Whether for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, show your family and friends you love them with this super easy chocolate heart cake – no special pans needed just a round pan and a square pan.

I’ve always had a love-heat relationship with Valentine’s Day. Kinda ironic, if you really think about it. But since having kids, I found myself celebrating everything silly holiday just to make things fun. And now that they are teenagers, I find myself still doing it.

My family certainly doesn’t mind my special bakes and treats I make for the holidays, so I suppose I will keep doing it as long as there is someone else around to enjoy them. I am all about keeping things simple. This chocolate heart shape cake is super easy to make and you probably have the baking pans in your kitchen.

Why this recipe is so great

I don’t know about you, but I bake a lot. I really do enjoy it, even though decorating cakes can be frustrating. But I have a slew of cake pans of various sizes and shapes that are a pain to store. Before I buy a new pan, I have to convince myself that I actually have room to store it.

This heart shaped cake doesn’t require a fancy new pan. Chances are you have the two pans you need to make it: a 9-inch round pan and a 9-inch square pan. This also works with the 8-inch versions, too, it just makes a thicker cake.

You can also decorate your heart cake any which way you like. I used frosting and some leftover fondant I had on hand. You can pipe the frosting all fancy like I did, or just schmear it on smooth.

Love sprinkles? Go for it! Super easy even the kiddos can help you make this. I used chocolate box cake mix but you can also bake any flavor you want. You can even use your favorite homemade cake recipe, you just need enough to make a standard 2-layer cake.

If you make this cake, serve it to your loved ones with a little gift: my free heart printable! Make this into cards or frame it as a gift.

Ingredients you need

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• Chocolate cake mix: Box cake mix has come a long way, and many times I prefer it to homemade. You can use any cake mix for this heart cake. I used Devil’s Food cake. You can also make a homemade cake, just make sure there is enough batter for a 2-layer cake.
• Ingredients for cake mix: This will vary depending on which cake mix you use but typically ingredients include eggs, water, oil.
• Frosting ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, food coloring. You can thin the frosting with a bit of milk instead of heavy cream, if you prefer. You can also use store bought frosting.

Tools to Use

• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Hand Mixer
• Silicone Spatula

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Step-by-step directions

1. Mix up the cake mix per package directions. Divide batter into a lightly greased 9-inch round cake pan and 9-inch square cake pan. You can also use an 8-inch round cake pan and 8-inch square cake pan. For easier release, line bottom of each pan with parchment paper.

2. Bake at 350ºF for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely before assembling.

3. When cakes have cooled, remove from pans. Cut the round cake pan in half. Place square cake onto extra large serving sheet and turn so it looks like a diamond. Place each half round along the top straight edges of the diamond to form a heart.

4. You can use prepared frosting or make it yourself. If mixing yourself, whip up the softened butter until fluffy then add powdered sugar. Thing out with milk or heavy cream. Divide frosting into bowls if you are mixing different colors.

5. Begin frosting your cake as you choose. If you are piping the cake like I did, I have the piping tips listed for you below. You can also use fondant or add your favorite sprinkles. Chill cake until ready to serve.

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Yield: 1 heart sheet cake, approximately 12 servings

Easy Chocolate Heart Cake

Print

Whether for Valentine's Day or any special occasion, show your family and friends you love them with this super easy chocolate heart cake - no special pans needed just a round pan and a square pan.

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 3 hours

Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Chocolate cake mix (I used devil's food mix)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup water
• ⅓ cup vegetable or mild olive oil
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar (approximately 1 pound)
• 2 TBS heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease one 9-inch round cake pan and one 9-inch square cake pan. You can also use an 8-inch round cake pan and 8-inch square cake pan. For easier release, line bottom of each pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix up the cake mix per package directions. Divide batter into the two prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pan then remove from the pan to a cooling rack. Let cakes cool completely before assembling.
4. When cakes have cooled, cut the round cake pan in half. Place square cake onto extra large serving sheet and turn so it looks like a diamond. Place each half round along the top straight edges of the diamond to form a heart.
5. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, whip up butter until smooth and fluffy.
6. Mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time.
7. Gently pour in the heavy cream and vanilla extract and blend until smooth.
8. If mixing a variety of colors, divide into bowl and mix in food coloring.
9. Begin frosting your cake as you choose. If you are piping the cake like I did, I used tips 4B, 1M and 32 for rosettes, and 21, 12 and 5 for various dollaps. You can also use fondant or add your favorite sprinkles.
10. Chill cake until ready to serve.

Notes

The cake ingredients will vary depending on the type of cake mix you are using. You can also use a homemade cake batter. Just be sure to have enough for a two layer cake.

This heart cake can be used for a variety of occasions like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or for a special birthday.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 37gProtein: 2g

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