10 Valentine's Day Cake Recipes to Make Your Heart Melt
You're looking for a way to make this Valentine's Day special, and what's more special than a decadent cake? You'll find 10 recipes that are sure to impress, from classic Red Velvet to rich Chocolate Truffle. Each cake features unique flavors and elegant decorations, but which one will you choose to make your heart melt?
You'll have to look closer to find the perfect recipe that suits your taste and style, and discover the secrets to making these cakes truly unforgettable.
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1. Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Rich, velvety cake with a deep red color and subtle cocoa flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add red food coloring and beat until combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk mixture.
- Melt cocoa powder in the microwave or on the stovetop and allow it to cool.
- Add melted cocoa powder to the cake batter and mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Strawberry Shortcake Delight
Indulge in a sweet Strawberry Shortcake Delight on Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add softened butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and eggs.
- Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch round cake pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Split the cake in half horizontally.
- Fill with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
3. Chocolate Truffle Cake
Rich, decadent chocolate cake filled with velvety truffle filling.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler and let cool slightly.
- Fold melted chocolate into cake batter until well combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make truffle filling, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form and set aside.
- Melt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in a double boiler and let cool slightly.
- Fold whipped cream into melted chocolate until well combined.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread truffle filling on top.
- Place second cake layer on top and frost with remaining truffle filling.
4. Vanilla Bean Cake
Delicate vanilla bean cake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
- Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
- Beat in heavy cream and vanilla bean paste.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Raspberry Souffle Cake
Light and airy raspberry souffle cake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup raspberry puree
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and sugar.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, milk, raspberry puree, and vegetable oil.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the egg whites into the cake batter until no white streaks remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
- Arrange the fresh raspberries on top of the batter.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cake is puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
6. Moist Carrot Cake
Moist Carrot Cake is a delicious dessert perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Stir in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes are cool, you can frost and decorate them as desired.
7. Lemon Lavender Pound
Lemon Lavender Pound is a moist and flavorful cake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the lemon juice and lavender buds.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Beat just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Espresso Chocolate Cake
Rich, mocha-flavored cake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup strong brewed espresso
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cocoa powder and milk, stirring until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, then whisk in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, whisking until just combined.
- Pour in the brewed espresso and whisk until the batter is smooth.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval.
- Fold the melted chocolate into the cake batter until well combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Creamy Cheesecake Recipe
Indulge in a rich and creamy cheesecake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 pounds cream cheese
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter to create the crust.
- Press the crust mixture into a 9-inch springform pan.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes and let it cool.
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract.
- Combine the granulated sugar and mix well.
- Pour the cheesecake batter into the cooled crust.
- Bake the cheesecake for 55-60 minutes or until the edges are set.
- Let the cheesecake cool completely before refrigerating it for at least 4 hours.
10. Decadent Brownie Cake
Rich, fudgy brownie cake perfect for Valentine's Day.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter
- 2 cups of sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Melt the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder until well combined.
- Let the mixture cool slightly, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the saucepan and stir until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Conclusion
You've mastered these Valentine's Day cake recipes, a true tour de force. Your loved one will be smitten with the Red Velvet and Strawberry Shortcake. It's a cinch, really - just whip up a Chocolate Truffle Cake and you'll be the cat's pajamas. With these decadent recipes, you'll be the epitome of a modern pâtissier, impressing all with your culinary prowess.