Description

This elegant Valentine’s dessert uses clever geometric assembly to create a stunning heart shape without a specialty pan. A light-as-air chocolate sponge is paired with a fresh strawberry buttercream that highlights natural fruit flavors for a sophisticated romantic treat.

Ingredients

1/2 cup boiling water
2 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, separated
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter (for frosting)
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla (for frosting)
Pinch of salt (for frosting)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour one 8-inch round pan and one 8-inch square pan, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
Pour boiling water over bittersweet chocolate chips, whisk until smooth, and set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
In a stand mixer, cream softened butter and sugar for 3 to 4 minutes until pale, then add egg yolks and vanilla before blending in the cooled chocolate mixture.
Whisk together the dry ingredients and add them to the batter in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
Beat egg whites to soft peaks in a clean bowl and gently fold them into the chocolate batter using a spatula to maintain airiness.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes; let cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely.
Make the frosting by beating butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and strawberries until fluffy and aerated.
Assemble by placing the square cake as a diamond and cutting the round cake in half; place the halves against the top sides of the square to form a heart, then frost and decorate.

Notes

To achieve the cleanest heart shape, ensure the square and round cakes are trimmed to be perfectly level before assembly. If your strawberry buttercream appears too soft due to the fruit juice, add an extra tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until you reach a stable spreading consistency.

Prep Time: 45 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American