Description

Elevate your baking with this innovative Cake Heart, featuring a tender lemon-vanilla sponge crafted using the hot milk method. This eye-catching dessert is finished with a tangy neon-pink cream cheese frosting and nostalgic cherries, making it the perfect centerpiece for any celebration.

Ingredients

240 grams all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup canola oil
20 ounces full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
Neon pink food coloring
Maraschino cherries for garnish

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Instructions

Set your oven to 335 °F (168 °C) and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure the leavening is evenly distributed.
Beat the eggs, sugar, and both extracts in a large bowl for at least 2 minutes at medium-high speed until the mixture is light gold and thickened.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and lemon zest to approximately 180°F, then stir in the butter and oil until the butter is completely melted.
Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the batter while mixing on low speed, then divide the batter between the pans and bake for 33-45 minutes.
Once the cakes are completely cooled, beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt to create a smooth frosting, dyeing the majority of it pink.
Place one round layer as the base, then carve the second layer into semicircles to form the lobes and assemble the heart using frosting as adhesive before applying a crumb coat and final layer.

Notes

To ensure a perfectly smooth frosting, strain your powdered sugar through a fine-mesh sieve before adding it to the cream cheese mixture. If you find the cake layers are too soft to carve, a brief stint in the freezer for about 30 minutes will firm up the crumb and make your cuts much more precise.

Prep Time: 45 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American