Description
A rich, moist Heart-Shaped Chocolate Layer Cake with strawberry filling and glossy ganache frosting. Elegant yet easy to make, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup hot coffee or water
FOR THE STRAWBERRY FILLING:
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
FOR THE GANACHE FROSTING:
8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
1. Prepare the strawberry filling: simmer strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice for 10 minutes until thick. Cool completely.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two heart-shaped 8-inch pans.
3. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in one bowl.
4. Add melted butter, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and coffee. Stir until smooth.
5. Divide batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool cakes completely.
7. For ganache: pour hot cream over chocolate, let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
8. Assemble cake: place one layer on a plate, spread strawberry filling, top with second layer, and frost with ganache.
Notes
If you don’t have a heart-shaped pan, trim a round and square cake to form a heart.
For lighter frosting, use chocolate buttercream instead of ganache.
Cake layers and filling can be made a day ahead.
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake, Holiday
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American