Grab a square cake pan, round pan, and mix up cake batter to learn how to make a heart shaped cake. It is a lot easier than you think!

More Valentine Recipes to try: Valentine Saltine Crack, Strawberry Crinkle Cookies, Conversation Heart Cupcakes, Chocolate Heart Cupcakes, and Valentine Rice Crispy Treats.

Are you looking for a delicious and visually stunning dessert to impress your loved ones without a special cake pan? Look no further than this heart-shaped chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting! This recipe combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the creamy sweetness of vanilla to create a dessert that is both indulgent and beautiful. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day or simply want to show someone you care, this heart-shaped cake is the perfect choice.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

There are many reasons why you’ll fall in love with this heart-shaped chocolate cake. Firstly, the combination of moist chocolate cake and smooth vanilla buttercream frosting is simply irresistible. The cake itself is made with high-quality ingredients like cocoa powder, butter, and eggs, resulting in a rich and decadent flavor. The vanilla buttercream frosting adds a creamy and sweet element that perfectly complements the chocolate. Together, they create a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Additionally, the heart shape of this cake adds a touch of romance and charm to any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or simply want to surprise your loved ones, this cake is sure to make a lasting impression. The heart shape symbolizes love and affection, making it the perfect dessert to share with someone special. Plus, the addition of Valentine’s Day sprinkles adds a festive and playful touch that will delight both kids and adults alike.

Equipment

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Although no special equipment is necessary, you likely have the pans and other equipment needed for this Valentine’s Day cake. You will not need a heart-shaped cake pan, only a round cake pan and square cake pan. This tutorial requires no extra special pans. Just these two that you likely already have both of the 9 inch size, even glass baking dishes would work. If you don’t have these pans already. Here are my favorite square pan and round pan for baking.

Ingredients:

Here is what you need to make a heart shaped cake without a heart pan!

For the Cake:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold brew coffee
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup 2% milk and 1/2 Tbsp vinegar combined and set for 10 min)
3 tsp vanilla extract

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
3 cups powdered sugar
1.5 tsp vanilla
2.5 – 3 Tbsp heavy cream
Pinch of salt to taste
Sprinkles

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a round 9-inch cake pan and a square 9×9 cake pan. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients – granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Then, combine the wet ingredients – melted butter, vegetable oil, cold brew coffee, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
In a large bowl, combine the wet and dry ingredients using a hand mixer or by hand until the batter is smooth and silky.
Divide the batter in half and transfer it into the prepared pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to rest for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and place them on a cooling rack.
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the vanilla buttercream frosting. In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter and powdered sugar on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Slowly add in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until a light and fluffy frosting has formed. Taste and add salt if needed. Set the frosting aside.
To assemble the cake, tilt the square cake so it looks like a diamond. Cut the round cake in half and place the halves at the top to form a heart shape.
Frost the cake with the vanilla buttercream frosting, and sprinkle the edges of the frosted cake with your favorite Valentine’s Day sprinkles.
Enjoy this delicious heart-shaped chocolate cake with your loved ones!

Additional Tips:

To make sure the entire cake turns out with the best results, use these tips.

Place cakes in the refrigerator/freezer to speed up cooling times before frosting.
For easier assembly, put frosting into a piping bag then use a spatula to smooth out.
Be sure the round cake is fully cooled before cutting. Cutting a warm cake will cause the cake to crumble.
If cakes are not level use a serrated knife to level out the cake tops.

Places to Use or Take This Recipe:

This heart-shaped chocolate cake is perfect for various occasions and settings. Here are a few ideas on where and when to use this recipe:

Valentine’s Day: Surprise your significant other with this romantic and delicious cake on Valentine’s Day. The heart shape and festive sprinkles will add an extra touch of love to your celebration.
Anniversaries: Celebrate your anniversary with this heart-shaped cake. It’s a sweet and thoughtful way to show your love and appreciation for your partner.
Birthdays: Whether it’s a child or an adult, a heart-shaped cake is always a hit at birthday parties. Customize the decorations and sprinkles to suit the birthday person’s preferences.
Engagement Parties: If you’re hosting an engagement party, this cake will be a showstopper. The heart shape symbolizes the love and commitment between the engaged couple.

Variations for the Recipe:

If you want to change things up a bit, here are a few variations you can try with this recipe:

Raspberry Filling: Add a layer of raspberry filling between the two cake layers for a burst of fruity flavor. Simply spread a thin layer of raspberry jam or fresh raspberries mixed with sugar onto the bottom cake layer before adding the top layer.
Chocolate Ganache: Instead of vanilla buttercream frosting, drizzle the cake with a rich and glossy chocolate ganache. Heat equal parts of heavy cream and chocolate until melted and smooth, then pour it over the assembled cake.
Red Velvet: Give this recipe a twist by turning it into a red velvet heart-shaped cake. Replace 1/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with unsweetened cocoa powder and add red food coloring to achieve the classic red velvet color.
Frosting: Feel free to tint with food coloring. A red or pink frosting would look really pretty on the top of the cake as well.

Can the Recipe Be Stored or Made Ahead?

Yes, this heart-shaped chocolate cake can be stored and made ahead. Here are a few tips:

Storage:

Once the cake is fully assembled and frosted, store it in an airtight container or cake carrier at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a hot climate, it’s best to store the cake in the refrigerator to prevent the frosting from melting.

Make Ahead:

You can bake the cakes in advance and freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap each cake layer tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw the cakes in the refrigerator overnight before assembling and frosting.

Common Questions about “How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake”:

Can I use a different cake recipe for the heart-shaped cake?

Yes, you can use any cake recipe you prefer for the heart-shaped cake. Simply follow the instructions for baking and assembling the cake in a heart shape. From a boxed cake mix to your favorite cake recipe you can make a heart shape cake without a heart-shaped pan using this method.

Can I use a different frosting for the cake?

Absolutely! While this recipe uses vanilla buttercream frosting, you can use any frosting of your choice. Cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, or even whipped cream would all be delicious options. Be sure to pick a frosting that will compliment the flavor of cake you choose to make.

Can I make this cake without coffee?

Yes, you can substitute the cold brew coffee with an equal amount of hot water or milk. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, but it can be omitted if desired.

Can I make cupcakes instead of a cake?

Yes, you can use this recipe to make heart-shaped cupcakes. Simply divide the batter among cupcake liners placed in a muffin tin and adjust the baking time accordingly. Add a marble in between the pan and the cupcake liner to make heart shaped cupcakes.

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Heart Shaped Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

How to make a heart shaped cake using a square and round pan.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

cool time30

Total Time1 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake tutorial, Chocolate peppermint cupcake recipe, how to make a heart cake, valentine’s day cake

Servings: 12 slices

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
8 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold brew coffee
2 large eggs
½ cup buttermilk OR ½ cup 2%milk and ½ Tbsp combined and set for 10 min
3 tsp vanilla extract

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter room temp
3 cups powdered sugar
1.5 tsp vanilla
2.5 – 3 Tbsp heavy cream
Pinch of salt to taste
Your favorite Valentine’s Day Sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a round 9 inch cake pan and a square 9 x 9 cake pan. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
In a bowl combine dry ingredients (sugar through salt).
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Then combine wet ingredients (butter through vanilla).
In a large bowl, combine the wet and dry ingredients with a hand mixer or just by hand until smooth and silky.
Divide batter in half and transfer into the cake pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Allow cakes to rest for 10 minutes then remove from pans and place on a cooling rack.*
While cakes are cooling, make the frosting. Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and combine on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until fully combined.
Pause to scrape the bowl, add heavy cream and vanilla. Continue to mix until a light and fluffy frosting has formed. Taste and add salt if needed. Set frosting aside.**
To assemble the cake, tilt the square cake so it looks like a diamond, cut the round cake in half, and place the halves at the top to make the heart.**
Frost the cake, sprinkle edges with your favorite Valentine’s Day Sprinkles and enjoy!

Notes

Additional Notes:
*Place cakes in the refrigerator/freezer to speed up cooling times before frosting.
**For easier assembly, put frosting into a piping bag then use a spatula to smooth out.
***Be sure the round cake is fully cooled before cutting. Cutting a warm cake will cause the cake to crumble.

This chocolate heart cake with vanilla buttercream frosting is a delightful and visually stunning dessert that will impress your loved ones. With its rich chocolate flavor, creamy frosting, and romantic shape, it’s the perfect choice for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or birthdays. Get creative with variations and enjoy the process of making this delicious cake. Your loved ones will be thrilled to indulge in this sweet treat made with love.

More Valentine’s Day Fun Ideas:

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How to Make a Heart Shaped Cake: The Easy Way

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Equipment