Description
Enjoy these delightful heart-shaped chocolate cakes topped with luscious strawberries for a romantic or festive treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate, melted
- Fresh strawberries for garnish
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for ganache)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare:
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
– Grease heart-shaped cake molds or line with parchment paper. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
– In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugar:
– In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
– Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
– Stir in the vanilla extract. - Combine Mixtures:
– Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. - Bake:
– Pour the batter into the prepared heart-shaped molds.
– Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
– Let cakes cool in the molds for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. - Prepare Chocolate Ganache:
– Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until simmering.
– Pour over the chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. - Assemble the Cakes:
– Once the cakes are cooled, spoon the ganache over the top of each cake, allowing it to drip down the sides.
– Garnish each cake with a fresh strawberry. - Final Touch:
– Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Use room-temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with a mix of 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice.
- Ensure cakes are completely cool before adding ganache to prevent it from melting off.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg