Red Velvet Heart Cake

Name: Red Velvet Heart Cake
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 - 16
Ingredients: Unsalted butter, for pans; 2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pans; 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp. baking powder; 1 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 3 large eggs; 1/2 c. canola oil; 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1 c. whole milk; 1 tbsp. red gel food coloring, plus 1/2 tablespoon, if needed; 1 tbsp. white vinegar; 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, at room temperature; 2 tbsp. heavy cream; 6 c. confectioners’ sugar; Valentine’s sprinkles, for decoration

Go on, take another little piece of my heart (-shaped cake).

By Beth BranchPublished: Feb 10, 2024

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

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Yields:

12 - 16

Prep Time:

35 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Red velvet cake is the perfect filling for a heart-shaped Valentine's cake! Make this simple but delicious treat for your Valentine's party! All you need is a couple 9-inch heart-shaped pans and you're ready to go!

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Ingredients

For the Red Velvet Cake

Unsalted butter, for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for pans
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
1 Tbsp. red gel food coloring, plus 1/2 tablespoon, if needed
1 Tbsp. white vinegar

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
6 cups confectioners’ sugar
Valentine’s sprinkles, for decoration

Directions

1. Step 1Make the Red Velvet Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch heart pans. Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, vanilla, milk, and food coloring. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar.
2. Step 2Transfer batter to prepared pan, dividing evenly. Bake until cakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Step 3Make the buttercream: Beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and cream, scraping down sides as necessary, until combined, about 1 minute. Add half of confectioners’ sugar and mix until combined. Add remaining confectioners’ sugar and beat until combined, about 1 minute.
4. Step 4Remove domed cake tops with a serrated knife, if desired. Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate and top with 1 cup frosting, spreading to the edges. Repeat with second. Frost sides of cake. Garnish with sprinkles.