Heart Cake for Birthday
A moist, heart-shaped vanilla cake layered with creamy buttercream frosting, perfect for birthday celebrations.
Equipment
- 1 Heart-shaped cake pan If unavailable, use a square and round pan to shape the heart
- 1 Mixing bowl (large) For mixing the cake batter
- 1 Mixing bowl (medium) For preparing the frosting
- 1 Electric Mixer Helps achieve a smooth batter and frosting
- 1 Measuring Cups & Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement
- 1 Whisk To combine dry ingredients
- 1 Spatula For folding and scraping batter
- 1 Offset Spatula For smooth frosting application
- 1 Cooling Rack Allows the cake to cool evenly
- 1 Cake turntable (optional) Helps with even frosting application
- 1 Piping bag & tips (optional) For decorative frosting details
- 1 Toothpick To check for cake doneness
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour sifted for a lighter texture
- 1½ cups Granulated sugar
- 1 cup Unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 large Eggs at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Milk at room temperature
- 1 cup Powdered sugar for the buttercream frosting
- ½ cup Unsalted butter softened, for the buttercream frosting
- 1-2 tablespoons Milk or cream to achieve desired frosting consistency
- Food coloring optional, for tinting the frosting to desired color
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a heart-shaped cake pan to prevent sticking.1 cup Unsalted butter, 2 cups All-purpose flour
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.2 cups All-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons Baking powder
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.½ cup Unsalted butter, 1½ cups Granulated sugar
- Add eggs to the butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.3 large Eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.2 cups All-purpose flour, ½ cup Milk
- Pour the batter into the prepared heart-shaped pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well. Stir in vanilla extract and add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable. Add food coloring if desired.1 cup Unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1 cup Powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons Milk or cream, Food coloring
- Once the cake has fully cooled, level the top if necessary. Slice horizontally to create two layers. Spread a layer of frosting between layers, then apply a crumb coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before applying the final layer of frosting.1 cup Powdered sugar
- Use a piping bag to create decorative designs, and garnish with sprinkles, fresh berries, or edible pearls.1 cup Powdered sugar
Notes
- Select a Suitable Cake Batter: Opt for dense, finely crumbed batters like chocolate buttermilk or vanilla cake to ensure the cake maintains its shape.
- Proper Pan Preparation: Thoroughly grease and flour your heart-shaped pan to prevent sticking. If you don't have a heart-shaped pan, you can create the shape by combining one round and one square cake.
- Accurate Ingredient Measurement: Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour to avoid a dense cake. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level off with a knife, rather than scooping directly from the bag.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the batter until ingredients are just combined to prevent a tough texture. Overmixing can develop gluten, resulting in a denser cake.
- Apply a Crumb Coat: After assembling the cake layers, apply a thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before adding the final frosting layer for a clean finish.
- Creative Decoration: Enhance your cake's appearance with piped designs, sprinkles, fresh berries, or edible flowers.