Description

A decadent and easy-to-make heart cake recipe perfect for romantic occasions or celebrations. This moist chocolate cake is layered with rich frosting and decorated to impress your loved ones. Whether for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or a birthday, this heart-shaped dessert is sure to warm hearts!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan option)
1 cup dairy-free milk (almond or coconut)
½ cup neutral-flavored oil (canola or vegetable oil)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water or brewed coffee

For the Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter (or vegan butter), softened
4 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup dairy-free milk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Decorations:

Fresh raspberries or strawberries
Chocolate shavings
Sprinkles

Instructions

Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line your cake pans (heart-shaped or round).
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Gradually add wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until smooth.
- Stir in the boiling water or coffee. The batter will be thin; this is normal.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Shape the Cake
- If using round pans, cut one cake in half and place the halves along the sides of the second round cake to form a heart. Use frosting to hold the pieces together.
Make the Frosting
- Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with milk. Stir in vanilla extract.
Decorate the Cake
- Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting and chill for 20 minutes. Spread a thicker layer of frosting over the cake.
- Decorate with fresh berries, sprinkles, or chocolate shavings as desired.

Notes

You can make the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them for up to 3 months.
For extra moistness, use coffee instead of water in the batter.
Customize the frosting by adding citrus zest or food coloring.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of the cake)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: heart cake, chocolate heart cake, Valentine’s Day dessert, romantic cake recipe, heart-shaped cake