Description
Bake a stunning and delicious Heart Red Velvet Cake this Valentine’s Day. This recipe delivers a perfectly moist, velvety cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting that will surely impress your sweetheart.
Ingredients
- 2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (or more, for desired color) red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 16 oz (450g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4–5 cups (480-600g) powdered sugar, sifted (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep Oven & Pans. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment.
- Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together sifted flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
- Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Step 4: Mix Batter. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk and red food coloring. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients alternately with the buttermilk mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Step 5: Add Vinegar & Baking Soda. In a separate small bowl, combine white vinegar and remaining baking soda. Gently fold immediately into the cake batter.
- Step 6: Bake. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10-15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7: Level Cakes. Once completely cool, use a serrated knife to level the tops of both cake layers.
- Step 8: Shape Heart. Cut one round cake in half. Arrange these two half-circles against the sides of the second whole round cake to form a heart shape on your serving platter.
- Step 9: Make Frosting. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy.
- Step 10: Assemble & Frost. Spread a generous layer of frosting over the bottom heart layer. Place the top heart layer, then apply a thin crumb coat. Chill 15-20 minutes. Apply final, smooth layer of frosting and decorate as desired.
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins