Description
This Valentine Vintage Heart Cake is a beautiful and romantic dessert that captures the charm of old-fashioned cakes while offering a modern twist. With layers of moist cake, creamy frosting, and delicate decorations, it’s perfect for celebrating love on Valentine’s Day. The cake is not only stunning to look at but also deliciously sweet, making it an ideal treat for your loved ones!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Red food coloring (optional, for color)
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red food coloring (optional, for color)
For Decoration:
- Sprinkles (heart-shaped, or vintage-style)
- Edible pearls (optional)
- Fresh flowers (optional)
- Small heart-shaped cookie cutters (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. - Prepare the Cake Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and then mix in the vanilla extract. - Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring to give the batter a soft pink or red hue. Mix until smooth and fully combined. - Bake the Cake:
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Make the Frosting:
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract, salt, and enough heavy cream or milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add red food coloring for a soft pink or red shade, if desired. - Assemble the Cake:
Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one layer of cake on a serving platter. Spread a layer of frosting over the top, then place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining frosting. - Decorate the Cake:
Use heart-shaped sprinkles, edible pearls, and fresh flowers to decorate the top of the cake. If desired, use small heart-shaped cookie cutters to make patterns on the surface with powdered sugar or additional frosting. - Serve:
Slice the cake into wedges and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your vintage-inspired Valentine’s Day cake!
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake, Valentine's Day
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Baking