Name: The Ultimate Heart-Shaped Valentine's Day Cake: 13 Pro Tips for Success
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2¾ cups all-purpose flour (345g); 2½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon salt; 1¾ cups granulated sugar (350g); 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks); 4 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; 1¼ cups whole milk, room temperature; ½ cup sour cream, room temperature

Ingredients

2¾ cups all-purpose flour (345g)
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
1¾ cups granulated sugar (350g)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1¼ cups whole milk, room temperature
½ cup sour cream, room temperature

Instructions

Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease one 8-inch round pan and one 8-inch square pan. Line with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat softened butter for 1 minute. Add sugar and beat for 3-4 minutes until fluffy and pale.
Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Whisk together milk and sour cream in a separate bowl.
Alternate Mixing: On low speed, add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with milk mixture in 2 additions. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Bake: Divide batter between pans (60% in square, 40% in round). Bake 28-33 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks. Cool completely (1-2 hours).
Shape Heart: Cut round cake in half. Position square cake as a diamond. Place round halves against top two edges to form a heart.
Make Buttercream: Beat butter 2-3 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat 4-5 minutes until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
Crumb Coat: Apply thin frosting layer over entire cake. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Final Frosting: Apply generous final layer of frosting. Smooth with offset spatula.
Decorate: Add fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, piped decorations, or your chosen embellishments.

Notes

Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, milk, and sour cream are at room temperature for best results.
Heart-Shaped Pan Alternative: You can use a heart-shaped pan instead of the round + square method.
Make Ahead: Cake layers can be baked 1 day ahead, wrapped tightly, and stored at room temperature.
Storage: Store finished cake at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Leveling Layers: Use a serrated knife to level domed cake tops for professional-looking layers.
Frosting Consistency: If frosting is too thick, add cream 1 tablespoon at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Clean Slices: Dip knife in hot water and wipe clean between cuts for neat slices.

Author: Emy Hayer
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian