Indulge your loved one (or yourself!) this Valentine's Day with this decadent chocolate heart cake. Rich, moist, and intensely chocolatey, this recipe is perfect for a romantic evening or a sweet treat any time of year. Forget store-bought chocolates; this homemade masterpiece boasts layers of fluffy chocolate cake, a luscious chocolate ganache, and a stunning heart-shaped presentation that's guaranteed to impress. The deep, dark chocolate flavor is balanced perfectly with subtle sweetness, creating an unforgettable dessert experience.
This irresistible chocolate heart cake is surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. Ready to create a show-stopping dessert that tastes as good as it looks? Follow our easy step-by-step instructions below to bake your own perfect Valentine's Day (or any day!) treat.
Tools Needed
- Bain-marie
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Fork or electric whisk
- Heart-shaped springform pan or 20cm round mold
- Baking paper
- Oven
- Plate
- Knife or spatula
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate: 150g
- Butter: 100g
- Milk: 80ml
- Eggs: 2
- Sugar: 180g
- Vanilla: 1 sachet
- Flour: 250g
- Baking powder: ½ sachet
- Dark chocolate (for cream): 75g
- Milk (for cream): 250ml
- Egg (for cream): 1
- Sugar (for cream): 50g
- Corn starch: 25g
- Dark chocolate (for ganache): 150g
- Milk (for ganache): 80ml
- Pink sugar hearts
- White chocolate shavings
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Cake Batter
- Chop 150g of dark chocolate and melt it in a bain-marie.
- Add 100g of melted butter to the melted chocolate.
- Add 80ml of milk at room temperature to cool the chocolate mixture.
- Add 2 eggs, 180g of sugar, and 1 sachet of vanilla extract to the mixture and mix well.
- Add 250g of flour and ½ sachet of baking powder, and mix everything with a fork or electric whisk.
Step 2. Bake and Cool the Cake
- Pour the batter into a greased and floured heart-shaped or round cake tin, level it, and bake at 180°C until cooked.
- Let the cake cool completely.
Step 3. Make and Apply the Chocolate Filling and Ganache
- Chop 75g of dark chocolate and put it in a pan with 250ml of milk. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg, 50g of sugar, 25g of cornstarch, and a little milk. Add this mixture to the pan with the chocolate and milk, and cook until thickened.
- Let the chocolate cream cool completely, covering it with cling film to prevent a crust from forming.
- Cut the cooled cake in half horizontally.
- Place the bottom layer of the cake on a plate and spread the cold chocolate cream evenly on top.
- Top with the other half of the cake.
- Heat 80ml of milk in a saucepan and add 150g of chopped dark chocolate. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Pour the hot ganache over the cake and spread evenly to coat the entire cake.
Step 4. Decorate the Heart Cake
- Decorate the cake with pink sugar hearts and white chocolate shavings, or any other preferred decorations.
Read more: Castagnaccio Recipe: Authentic Tuscan Gluten-Free Cake
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! The cake layers can be baked a day or two in advance and stored airtight at room temperature. Assemble the cake and add the ganache just before serving for best results.
2. What kind of chocolate should I use?
Use good quality dark chocolate for the best flavor. Semi-sweet chocolate will also work, but the cake will be less intense.
3. Can I use a different shaped pan?
While a heart-shaped pan is ideal, you can bake this recipe in any round or square cake pan. Just adjust the baking time as needed and use a knife or cookie cutter to create a heart shape once the cake is cooled.
This Valentine's Day Chocolate Heart Cake is a delightful combination of rich chocolate flavor and romantic presentation. With a little effort, you can create a dessert that will be cherished by your loved ones, or enjoyed as a delicious self-indulgence. So, gather your ingredients and get baking – happy Valentine's Day!