Heart Shaped Cakes for Valentine’s Day

I had a single layered cake sitting in my refrigerator in the basement from my sisters birthday last week.  I had initially planned to make it a triple layered cake but we all agreed we didn’t need that extra layer. 

Remembering the cake was downstairs I tried to think of things to create with it.  I decided to make some heart shaped cakes that I could decorate various ways.  Since I had these heart-shaped cookie/cake cutters  I decided to attempt to use the heart-shaped cutter to make mini cakes for individual servings.

My first attempt was to ice the cake and add red sprinkles to the sides, then using the star tip ice the top of the cake.  This was my least favorite design.

My second attempt was to melt white chocolate chips. With my cake elevated on the top of a sprinkle container that I covered with plastic wrap, I poured the melted white chocolate over the cake.

White chocolate doesn’t melt to a runny liquid state like semi-sweet or dark chocolate.  So I added 3 pieces of Paramount Crystals to the already melted chocolate, and blended it in until melted.  If you’ve never used Paramount Crystals it helps to liquefy chocolate, making it easier to spread or pour.

After pouring the white chocolate over my cake I let it sit for about 5 minutes to firm up before removing it from on top of the container.  I loved the way this turned out.

My third attempt was to color my cream cheese frosting pink, then place it into an icing bag with a medium star tip.  I added swirls to the sides of the heart-shaped cake and outlined the top with concentric heart  shapes.  I then added that extra touch of pink and white confetti sprinkles.  This was my favorite and the easiest method of the three designs I tried.

There’s no need to go out and buy heart-shaped containers but simple heart-shaped cutters work perfect so long as they’re at least 2-3-inches high.

Make a sheet cake, in fact use a box cake mix if time is of the essence – Red Velvet would be appropriate or white cake.  After baking the cake, allow it to cool, then place in the refrigerator for 3 hours or preferably overnight to firm up.

1. Flip the cake out onto a cutting board.
2. Spray non-stick spray on the inside of your heart-shaped cutter.  This will allow for the cake to be easily removed after slicing into it.
3. Starting at the edge of the cake press the heart-shaped cutter into the cake.
4. Remove the cutter with cake inside, and set on a work surface.
5. Gently press using your fingertips on the center of the cake until it releases from the cutter.
6. With icing of choice add swirls to the sides of the cake, then concentric heart shapes on top. Add confetti sprinkles on top or sprinkles of choice, if desired.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve if needed.

Have fun with this project, and invite your children or grandchildren to help.  Everyone can create they’re very own Heart-Shaped Cake masterpiece for Valentine’s Day.

Enjoy!!!

Vicki Bensinger has been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. However, she saw the need for more specialized classes and in 2004 established “At Home with Vicki Bensinger“, offering personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups (ages 7 to adult) in the comfort of their home or organization.

Having an In-Home Culinary Class is the perfect way to get together with friends while you learn to cook, hone your culinary skills or just have a fun time with friends and food.

If you’d like to learn more about her classes please email Vicki at: linking text or [email protected]

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Please check out Vicki’s blog where she shares recipes, tips, videos, giveaways and everything food related. The recipes Vicki has posted on her blog are recipes she hopes everyone will be able to prepare.

Happy Cooking!