Heart Cake

(FOR A TUTORIAL CLICK HERE)

I'm so excited to share another creation I have been working on for Valentines Day.  We had cookies for breakfast (why not?) and now here is my we-can-make-it-to-lunch-without-eating-it-if-we-really-really-try cake.

Introducing, my Heart Cake.

 

Pretty boring huh?

This is white vanilla frosting covered white cake with red velvet cake crumbled on top. 

I loved the contrast in color and textures here.

Now. 

You know I cant make a cake without a surprise inside.

Did ya guess?  Of course you did.  I have very smart readers. 

Plus, its like in the title and stuff.

 
 

I gotta be honest.  This was not easy.  This is my second attempt at my Heart Cake.

It involves a lot of carving and vision and attention to detail, and well, I have been seriously lacking in those lately.

But I have lots of tips and tricks for next time, so I may even attempt a tutorial if warranted!

RECIPE TIME!

For the red velvet cake I messed around with a recipe from Magnolia Bakery.

*This is how I modified this recipe:  I used 2 sticks of butter, 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of food color, and apple cider vinegar.  I wanted a more dense cake because I knew I was using it in the center of the heart cake and I needed to make sure it was sturdy enough.

3 1/3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
6 tablespoons red food coloring
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and lightly flour three 9 x 2-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with waxed paper.

To make the cake:
In a small bowl, sift the cake flour and set aside. In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, whisk together the red food coloring, cocoa, and vanilla. Add to the batter and beat well.

In a measuring cup, stir the salt into the buttermilk. Add to the batter in three parts, alternating with the flour. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated, but do not overheat.

In a small bowl, stir together the cider vinegar and baking soda. Add to the batter and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl, making sure the ingredients are well blended and the batter is smooth.

Divide the batter among the prepared pans. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans for 1 hour. Remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

When the cake has cooled, spread the frosting between the layers, then the ice top and sides of the cake with frosting.

 

***

And I am loving Magnolia's Vanilla Buttercream frosting... it might have even replaced Wiltons as my favorite!

*My only modification to the recipe is I like to add a little almond extract, and it seems that 1 tsp. is the perfect amount!  And be sure to use CLEAR vanilla extract to get a white frosting.

Makes enough for one 2-layer 9-inch cake or 2 dozen cupcakes*

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 6 to 8 cups confectioners’ sugar

• 1/2 cup milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. (Use and store the icing at room temperature because icing will set if chilled.) Icing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

 

***

 

Would you like a little piece of my heart? :)

 

 

And since this was my second attempt that the Heart Cake (in two days!), I did not make the white cake from scratch.  I used white cake from a box and followed the directions for the WHITE cake.  No egg yolks allowed. :)

 

But, believe it or not, I have actually found a white cake recipe I really like and will be sharing that soon!

Comments

[Stacie]

Ok, how can you share this and then not tell us how to do it?!!? Awesome!

[Becky]

OMGosh!!!!! I just came over from MckMama's blog and my heart (HAHA) was racing as soon as I saw this cake, but I was totally bummed you didn't share how to make it!:( Those of us that are "creativly" challenged need time to make a practice run before we actually attempt this for Valentines Day!:) I know this is your blog and your creation and you have every right to keep it to yourself, but I am not above begging!;) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do a tutorial or give us some typed instructions or pics or something...I simply cannot be left to figure this out on my own...the results could be disastrous or at the very least unedible, which IMO is worse!:(

[Amanda Rettke]

Oh dear! You are too precious. I am not intentionally with holding how to make it... I just didnt document as I went along this time and its a time consuming cake to make, so I havent had time to do it again! I am sorry!! Maybe next year?? he he I wish I could do another one but being a SAHM and stickin to a budget just dont allow it this month. :( Sorry!

[erin fisher]

this is just amazing!!! I love red velvet cake!!!!

[Robin Jojo]

That's a great cake. My daughter is born on Valentines day and we always make red velvet cake.

[Simone]

Am I crazy or are there no instructions about how to actually make the heart shape? Can someone please share that detail?

[Sarah]

Um, yes to the tutorial please?!? I was about to attempt this until I realized I had no idea, none at all, on how to even start with a heart. So I thought maybe something simple on the inside instead...yeah, again, no idea. Help please?!? Girl, you have talent!

[b]

Would love a tutorial!

[Sarah]

Just read your earlier reply to comments! Ok, how about you just give a tip on how to add it...no pictures needed?!? As in I have no idea where to even begin! Ok, enough begging!

[Chocolate Truffle Cake]

Heart cake is so hot....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Viva-Magazine-Your-Premium-Womens-Natural-Health-Magazine/262734921452?ref=ts

[Adelas (della)]

I don't know if you'll see this comment, but... if one was to leave out the food coloring,
(a) do you know what color this would turn out? roughly white? no?
(b) if the food coloring was left out, that's a lot of moisture missing. What would you substitute for it to keep things even and make sure it turned out okay?

[Valancy17]

That is amazing!!! I'd love to know how you did that (but I'm proably too lazy to actually do it myself). I'm a fan of the classic cooked icing for Red Velvet cake, but thanks for the new cake and buttercream recipe. I'm happy with my cake recipe except it isn't chocolatey enough for my tastes.

[Francesca I]

Super-Sweeeeeet! ...& Lovely!

[Tarwe.wordpress.com]

this is incredible

I have linked it from my blog - http://tarwe.wordpress.com

i hope you don't mind

Carmel

[Nicole]

I actually linked it to my blog too (credited you with a link and everything!) because I am so inspired by this cake! Wonderful job!
xoxo
Nicole*

http://sngriffi.blogspot.com/

[Shannon]

Wow! That is so neat - would love to know how to do it. Very creative and beautiful! Thanks for posting it.

[Melis]

I gave this idea a try, but I'm a chocolate-lover, and figured if I was going to put forth the effort, I wanted it to really be worth my while! ;D So, I made a chocolate cake for the main cake and used chocolate frosting. Then, I made a vanilla cake, added pureed raspberries, butter cream frosting (as you instructed) & a touch of red food coloring for the center heart. It was rich and yummy! My sis-in-law suggested using strawberry cake, and I think that is another tasty option. ;-) My daughters had a blast helping me make this special cake for Daddy, and we enjoyed a festive Valentine treat! THANKS for the tutorial - I never would've tried it otherwise!

[coach purses]

Health is the best treasure (which) a man can possess. Money can do many things, but it cannot buy happiness. However, so long as man has good health, he can enjoy the pleasures of human life.

[Biryani Recipes]

Superb combination of color Red and White. I like this. Such a best recpe. Thank you.

[Supra Shoes]

added pureed raspberries, butter cream frosting (as you instructed) & a touch of red food coloring for the center heart.

[UGG Boots outlet]

THANKS for the tutorial - I never would've tried it otherwise!

[louis vuitton bags]

THANKS for the tutorial - I never would've tried it otherwise!

[Jordans 5]

Poor edward has to do his work after dinner and he couldn’t go with us to play football. Because he dare not go against his mother’s orders. What a pity!

[Jordan Hydro]

Let you gain plenty of knowledge when you are eating moon cakes.

[Jersey]

hey buddy,this is one of the best posts that I’ve ever seen; you may include some more ideas in the same theme. I’m still waiting for some interesting thoughts from your side in your next post.

Im not going to say what everyone else has already said, but I do want to comment on your knowledge of the topic. You're truly well-informed.

[requin]

Gorgeous! I'd love to try some of these surprise-inside cakes, but I don't know if I have the patience. My son has declared that he'd like the faith cake for his birthday next month--don't know if that's gonna.

[Chris]

wow all those garments are so amazing and fabulous I don't come to your blog as often as I would like, but whenever I do I see some really amazing things keep up the good work! =)

[Trey Smith]

One word: yummy.

[Shannon]

Very nice, but can you do something a with a groundhog? My daughter's "special day" falls on Groundhog Day this year, and it'd be great to bring in treats with an appropriate theme. ;-)

[Audie7]

I may have to try this one!!!

[Linda]

Very nice!! I would have love to see it in person. Maybe at the next family party?

[Vicki]

I think it's nice of you to 'introduce' your heart cake.

[Nalfavi]

Came here through Sweetopia :) Making this cake for my boyfriend's coworkers tomorrow so he can bring something in on Monday. I'm cheating by using box mixes, but I still think they will get a kick out of it. Thanks for the tut!

[maternity clothing chick]

agreed.....tutorial, please. there are plenty of us bake-challenged people out here! it's gorgeous! bravo!