Your Perfect Valentine Cake or Cupcakes in Four Easy Recipes

There is a perfect cake for almost every special occasion. Instead of boring boxed chocolates this year, try choosing a Valentine cake. Valentine’s Day is for lovers, and couples are expected to think outside the box of candy. Instead of buying pre-packaged, generic sentiments of love, get creative and bake your loved ones a cake. If an entire cake isn’t your thing, cupcakes may be the secret to warming up a heart. They are more personal and show extra effort and thought, as well.

Many people steer clear of baking homemade treats fearing their inadequacy in the kitchen. Even if you are a novice, you can still bake that special someone something perfectly meaningful, and edible, without complicated recipes and gadgets. That Valentine cake does not need a heart-shaped pan, and you don’t have to make everything expertly. A boxed mix is perfectly acceptable, and then you need only a few extras and an imagination.

These Valentine Cake Recipes Will Be a Hit

The four following recipes guarantee that your loved one’s mouth will water. Additionally, they may ensure a little extra loving. Both inexperienced and seasonal bakers can make all four as well. Pre-packaged gifts are not for everyone, and these recipes might be what your love desires.

Heart-shaped cake with strawberries

A heart-shaped cake with strawberries is the most obvious cake you can make for this particular holiday. Some will stray away from this option because of its unusual shape. However, this traditional Valentine cake does not require a specialty pan. The only pans needed to complete this style are an eight-inch round cake pan and an eight-inch square pan.

First, bake prepared white cake mix in each eight-inch pan. After the cake fully cools, cut the round cake in half and place the semi-circles on two adjacent sides of the square. This placement visually creates a heart shape with no special pans.

Next, frost this creation of love with white or pink frosting in whatever flavor the intended recipient likes. Make a double-layered cake by doubling the instructions above and spreading a nice layer of frosting between the two sections. After stacking, frost the cake as normal. Serve chopped strawberries on the side or slice them thin to decorate the frosted cake.

Sweetheart cupcakes

If baking a whole cake does not appeal to you, cupcakes may be the way to go.  The only equipment needed is a cupcake tin and liners. A cake mix recipe makes 24 cupcakes, so if you have an extra large pan or two 12-count pans, your baking time reduces dramatically. Then, follow the recipe on the boxed mix for cupcakes.

Sweetheart cupcakes are centered around a surprise in the middle. Coloring a portion of the batter is the only difference in these cupcakes and regular cupcakes. The baker reserves some white batter and dyes it red and pink using food coloring. After filling the cupcake tin liners about halfway, squeeze the colored batter in the center of the cupcakes to create a multi-colored core. If you don’t own a squeeze bottle for your core, you can use a thick, food storage bag with one corner cut off.

This time, frosting is entirely up to you as the center of the cupcake is the most crucial part.

Pink velvet cupcakes

This cupcake takes a bit more effort, but you instantly become a  professional in your loved one’s eyes. The color is the highlight of these treats, and everyone enjoys some pink on the most romantic day of the year. Using a boxed white cake mix, create a pink color with a few drops of red gel food coloring. You can also use a pre-colored, pre-flavored cake mix like strawberry. Advanced bakers can use the more complicated cake recipe online. Bake the cupcakes as directed on the box and then all them to cool on a wire rack.

This recipe calls for a ganache which sounds more difficult than it is to make. You will need:

• 2 cups white baking chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon butter

While the finished cupcakes are cooling, place the white chips in a bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the cream just to a boil. Pour it over the chips and whisk it until smooth. Stir in the butter and transfer to a large bowl. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes. Beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy. After frosting the cooled cupcakes, roll the edges with coarse, pink sugar. Decorate the finished cupcakes with pink candy pearls.

Almond Joy cupcakes

These are the least traditional cupcakes on the list. They are also the most decadent. This is a chocolate and coconut lover’s dream. There is a from-scratch recipe you can follow here, but we have chosen to provide you with the simplest recipe for the greatest ease in the kitchen and maximum appreciation. Instead of baking hard, we recommend baking smart.

Prepare milk chocolate or devil’s food cupcakes from a boxed mix. Bake them as directed and then allow them to cool. While they are cooling, prepare the frosting and toppings. You will need:

• 2 Cups heavy cream
• 1/2 Cup coconut milk
• 2 TBS powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 Cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 24 cocoa-dusted or toasted almonds

To make the frosting, use a hand mixer to beat the heavy cream, coconut milk, sugar, and salt, gradually increasing the speed for two to four minutes until the frosting is nice and fluffy. After mixing, spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and then evenly sprinkle all of them with the shredded coconut. Place one almond in the center of each cupcake.

Make a Special Valentine Cake for Your Special Someone

As seen above, it does not take perfect baking skills to show your love on Valentine’s Day. Instead of picking out a box of chocolates that every other person will get, surprise your loved one with a more personalized gift: one you have baked yourself. In the end, the results are happiness and satisfaction for everyone.

Featured image: CC by 2.0, by April, via Flickr

Last update on 2024-10-23 at 11:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API