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Red Velvet Heart Layer Cake: Easy Valentine’s Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

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This stunning Red Velvet Heart Layer Cake features tender, vibrant layers of classic red velvet cake shaped into hearts and frosted with silky cream cheese frosting. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any special occasion, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp liquid red food coloring (or gel)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Fresh berries (optional, for decoration)
  • Heart-shaped sprinkles (optional)
  • Chocolate shavings (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper. Trace and cut out a heart template from parchment for shaping later.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla, vinegar, and food coloring until mixture is a deep red.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Mix gently with an electric mixer on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans (about 2 ½ cups per pan). Smooth tops with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and cakes spring back lightly when pressed.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks. Peel off parchment and let cool completely.
  8. Lay heart template on each cooled cake layer. Using a sharp knife, trim around the template to create heart-shaped cakes. Save scraps for snacking or cake pops.
  9. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low. Add vanilla, lemon juice, and salt. Beat until fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
  10. Place one heart layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Add second heart layer and cover cake with remaining frosting, smoothing sides and top.
  11. Decorate with berries, sprinkles, or chocolate shavings as desired. Let cake set for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality gel or liquid food coloring for a vibrant red. Room temperature ingredients help ensure a smooth batter and frosting. If making gluten-free or dairy-free, substitute flour and dairy products as needed. Chill cake layers before frosting for easier assembly. Imperfect heart shapes add homemade charm!

Nutrition

Keywords: red velvet cake, heart cake, Valentine’s dessert, cream cheese frosting, easy cake recipe, homemade cake, special occasion cake, nut-free dessert, crowd-pleaser, classic cake

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/red-velvet-heart-layer-cake-easy-valentines-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting/