Description
These adorable Mini Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cakes are the perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any occasion where love is in the air. Moist and rich with chocolate flavor, these individual cakes are topped with a luscious frosting and decorated to make them as sweet as they taste.
Ingredients
Scale
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For the cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 1/4 cup boiling water
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For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp milk (or more to achieve desired consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
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For decoration (optional):
- Heart-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter
- Fresh raspberries or strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two mini heart-shaped cake pans or use parchment paper to line them.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
- Gradually add the boiling water to the batter, mixing gently. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared heart-shaped pans. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, then add milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake, then place the second cake on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate with heart-shaped sprinkles, fresh berries, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
- Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have mini heart-shaped cake pans, you can use a regular 8-inch round cake pan and cut out heart shapes after baking.
- For a more decadent treat, you can add chocolate ganache instead of frosting.
- These cakes are also great for serving at a Valentine’s Day party as individual servings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Mini heart-shaped cake, chocolate cake, Valentine’s Day dessert, heart-shaped dessert, chocolate frosting, love cake