What better way to express love on Valentine's Day than with a heart-shaped cake that is as easy as it is spectacular. No special pan or skills required.
It's a versatile way to celebrate the holiday. This lovely cake can be made large or not-so-large. Simple cake design skills are all that are needed for a professional look. Or, let the kids decorate it for a yummy Valentine they will proudly present to mom, dad or grandma.
All that is needed is a boxed cake mix, a round 8- or 9-inch cake pan and a square 8- or 9-inch cake pan. Prepare the cake batter as directed. Divide it between the two pans so that it reaches the same level in each. Bake, remove from pans and cool.
In the meantime, find a platter or tray that is about 15 inches square or in diameter. A cutting board or sheet pan, covered with aluminum foil, will work, too. The assembled cake will be about 12 inches square.
Very Little Assembly Required
Start with the square cake, placing one corner near the edge of the tray. Think of it as a diamond shape, with the corner near the edge at the bottom. Cut the round cake in half. Place the cut edges against the top edges of the diamond to form a heart shape. If the half circles are slightly larger than the diamond, trim the edges flush, keeping the shape rounded.Cover the cake with buttercream frosting, filling in any gaps with extra frosting and smooth it carefully over the entire cake.
The result is plenty of room for writing a special message. Pink frosting with write lettering, curlicues and borders is a very sweet look. For chocolate lovers, try fudge frosting with pink and/or white decorations. Give the kids conversation hearts to glue on with dabs of frosting. Lacy paper doilies peeking out from under the cake lend a romantic touch.
This cake can be made with two layers for that Valentine's Day celebration that is not exactly intimate. It will feed a lot of people. Simply bake a second mix and assemble a second heart on top of the filled initial layer. This opens up more options for flavors and designs. Try a raspberry jam or chocolare ganache filling.
Stretch That Design Imagination
For a dramatic, three-dimensional look, melt dark. milk or white chocolate in the microwave or over very low heat in a heavy saucepan. On waxed paper, use a spoon to draw outlines of hearts, letters or random shapes with the warm chocolate. When hard, carefull peel away the paper. Lay the shapes on top or against the side of the cake.
Up the wow factor by adding a stem to thee bottom of each shape during the initial forming. Stick the stem into the frosting so the shapes stand up straight or at various angles on the top of what will be a very sensational cake.
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