Description
Hidden Heart Cake is a stunning surprise dessert that reveals a perfect heart shape inside when sliced. Soft vanilla sponge surrounds a vibrant red or pink heart center, making it the ultimate show-stopping cake for special celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Red Heart Cake Layer:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red or pink gel food coloring
- For the Outer Vanilla Cake:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 225g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 250g unsalted butter, softened
- 450g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- Optional Decorations:
- Sprinkles
- Fresh berries
- White chocolate drizzle
- Heart-shaped toppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir in vanilla and fold in flour. Add gel food coloring until vibrant.
- Spread batter in lined rectangular tin. Bake 25–30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Use a heart-shaped cutter to cut multiple hearts. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla. Fold in flour until smooth.
- Spoon thin layer of vanilla batter into loaf tin. Stand heart cutouts upright in a tight row. Cover fully with remaining batter.
- Bake 45–55 minutes until golden and cooked through. Cool completely before removing.
- Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla and milk until spreadable.
- Frost cooled cake and decorate as desired.
- Slice carefully to reveal the hidden heart design.
Notes
- This cake is perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and baby showers.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant heart color.
- Let the cake cool completely for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Hidden Heart Cake, surprise dessert, celebration cake, Valentine's Day cake