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heart shaped chocolate

Heart Shaped Chocolate Cake

Sarah Davis
A delicious and easy heart-shaped chocolate cake perfect for Valentine's Day or any special occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 34 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 4 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 16
Calories 785 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour 210g
  • 2 cups granulated sugar 400g
  • ½ cup dark cocoa powder 50g
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder 6g
  • ½ tsp fine salt 3g
  • cup or about 1 ⅓ sticks unsalted butter, softened (150g)
  • cup egg whites about 5 large egg whites (155g)
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature (240g)
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 14g
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 4g
  • 2 cups unsalted butter softened (452g)
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract 12g
  • ½ tsp fine salt 3g
  • 6 cups powdered sugar 750g
  • cup dark cocoa powder 33g
  • ½ cup heavy cream 120g
  • 1 ½ cups dark chocolate melted and cooled (260g) (for ganache)
  • cup heavy cream 80g (for ganache)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a heart-shaped cake pan.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and egg whites until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
  • Stir in vegetable oil and vanilla extract.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  • While the cake is cooling, prepare the chocolate buttercream frosting.
  • In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, vanilla extract, and salt until light and fluffy.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, alternating with the heavy cream, beginning and ending with the powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  • Once the cake is completely cool, frost it with the chocolate buttercream.
  • To make the ganache, combine melted dark chocolate and heavy cream in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Pour over the frosted cake and let it set.
  • Decorate as desired with fresh fruits, edible flowers, or sprinkles.

Notes

For a moister cake, brush the layers with simple syrup before frosting. You can also add sour cream or applesauce to the batter. This cake freezes well.
Keyword heart-shaped cake, heart-shaped chocolate, Valentine's Day cake