Chocolate Heart Cake

If you love someone and they love chocolate then THIS is the cake to bake for them my Chocolate Heart Cake. So, my hubby’s birthday was at the start of the year AND I didn’t make him a birthday cake.

While we still had nearly a whole Christmas cake left, we also had chocolate, in all it’s delicious forms, everywhere. Yet my hubby wanted a chocolate cake for his birthday. And I was struggling with the chocolate remnants of Christmas past that were, increasingly, threatening to take over every cupboard and side table in the house.

Breath……in……..and…..out.

Phew I was in danger of being over dramatic there?

What a difference a week makes.

Finally, three teenagers and hubby had made significant inroads on the chocolate abundance. Finally, it was time to bake a cake. Most importantly a chocolate cake!

It was late.   Delayed.   Belated.   Not on time.

There was no getting away from it. As soon as possible I needed to pull out all the stops and come up with an I Love You and I’m sorry it’s late, birthday cake.

And I’m pretty sure I nailed it with this fudgy, moist, rich, Chocolate Heart Cake.

Too near Christmas and this cake would have been too much. Since it is deeply chocolatey cake, slathered in a smooth, yet decadent chocolate ganache, accented with little white chocolate hearts. Because this Chocolate Heart Cake is perfect for all true chocolate lovers.

Cake that’s worth the wait

And fortunately for me, my wonderful husband was happy to wait for his cake. Because, not only is he the one and only true love of my life, he is the kindest, most patient, loving man I have ever known.

So girls, don’t settle for second best, or not give proper attention to the man you are with, in the hope that someone better will rock up. As soon as you find someone who loves you, for you, with all their heart, hold on tight and never let go.

Just sayin’.

Back to all matters cake. While I was going to wait until Valentine’s Day to post this recipe, I remembered my heart tin, which I bought very cheaply, in the January sales last year.

So, if you like this cake, want to make it and see a heart tin in the sales, grab that bargain!

Recipe: Makes 1 Chocolate Heart Cake – serves 10-12

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature, plus a little extra to grease the tin

225g/8oz Light Soft Brown Sugar

1/4 tsp Sea Salt – I use Maldon

4 Large Eggs – I use free range

150ml/5fl oz Sour Cream

1tsp Vanilla Extract I use – Nielsen-Massey

125g/5oz Plain White Flour

75g/3oz Cocoa Powder – I use Callebaut

2tsp Baking Powder

75g/3oz Dark Chocolate

75g/3oz Milk Chocolate

150ml/5fl oz Double Cream

50g/2oz White Chocolate

Method: Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan, 350F, gas mark 4

Making the cake

• First of all grease the tin and line with baking parchment.
• In a large bowl whisk together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
• Crack the eggs into a jug, gently whisk to break up. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract to the eggs and stir to combine – wet ingredients.
• Weigh the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a sieve  – dry ingredients.
• Sift one third of the dry ingredients into the creamed sugar and butter.
• Add half of the wet mixture to the bowl. Mix gently until combined.
• Repeat the addition of dry and wet ingredients.
• Mix until combined and then slowly mix in the last of the dry ingredients.
• Spoon the cake batter into the tin and smooth the surface.

• Place the cake into the oven and bake for approximately an hour.
• The cake is baked when it springs back from a light touch.
• Don’t worry if there is a slight jiggle to the cake, as long as it springs back when pressed.
• As soon as the cake is baked remove from the oven.

• Leave the cake to cool for 30 minutes in the tin.

• Turn the cakeout of the tin and place bottom side up on a cooling rack.Take care when turning this cake out, as it is very moist, with an almost ‘brownie like’ texture.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before decorating.

Decorating the cake

• Place the double cream, milk and dark chocolate into a heat proof bowl set over a double boiler see here for detailed photos.
• Stir constantly, removing the bowl from the heat when the chocolate is two thirds melted.  Keep stirring until all the chocolate is melted into the cream.
• Set aside until slightly cooled and thickened.
• Place the Chocolate Heart Cake onto a board or cake stand.

• Pour the slightly cooled and thickened chocolate ganache on to the cake.
• Smooth the ganache over the cake, using a spoon or palette knife, allowing it trust cover the sides.

• I used the back of a spoon, however, a palette knife would have given a smoother finish.
• Melt the white chocolate, in a small heatproof bowl, in the microwave, set to medium. Zap in 20 second bursts, stirring after each one, until the chocolate is two thirds melted.
• Remove from the microwave and continuously stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
• Starting at the centre of the heart dip, drip, using a teaspoon, a small circle of white chocolate onto the cake. Approx. 1cm diameter.
• Using a cocktail stick and starting just above the circle, drag the stick through the white chocolate to create a wispy heart accent.

• Add as many heart accents as you like. Although the finished cake will look better if decorated in a symmetrical pattern.
• Finally, move the cake to a cool place to set. During warmer months refrigerate.

Most importantly, my husband was thrilled with his birthday cake.

Also it not only looked fantastic, but tasted deeply chocolatey too!

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Chocolate Heart Cake here are some others you may like:

Chocolate Sparkle Cake 

Marbled Chocolate Bundt Cake 

Malted Marbled Chocolate Cake 

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing your feast.

Sammie xx

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