How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated on November 2, 2018
Glimmer Twin Fan profile image
Claudia Mitchell
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Claudia has been writing recipes online for more than 6 years. She enjoys coming up with unique and tasty dishes, especially sweet treats.

How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide | Source

Fun heart facts

  • The heart is one big muscle.
  • The origin of "wearing your heart on your sleeve" comes from the Middle Ages, when suitors would draw names to see who their valentine would be and then pin the names to the sleeves of their garments.
  • The Greek word for heart is "kardia".

Perfect for Valentine's Day or another special celebration, this fun and easy heart-shaped cake can be created in the same amount of time that it takes to bake a regular cake. The best part about it is that you don't need a special heart-shaped pan. You only need supplies that you probably have on hand.

Impress your family and friends by turning a simple cake into a heart-shaped masterpiece in only a few easy steps.

Supplies needed

  • One square cake pan
  • One round cake pan
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 box of cake mix, any type
  • 1 tub of frosting, any type
  • Cake decorations like sprinkles or colored sugar

Directions

Follow the photo guide below to create your heart-shaped cake.

Tip: If you want a larger cake, use 2 boxes of cake mix and layer the pieces. You will need 3 tubs of icing for this larger cake, but will probably not use the entire amount of the third tub.

Step 1 - Prepare the pans

Prepare one square and one circular pan by spraying cooking spray on the bottoms. I used a 9" square and a 9" circular pan. If you do not have these sizes, others will do, but you may have to trim down the cake as needed.
Prepare one square and one circular pan by spraying cooking spray on the bottoms. I used a 9" square and a 9" circular pan. If you do not have these sizes, others will do, but you may have to trim down the cake as needed. | Source

Step 2 - Prepare the cake mix

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box, or use a homemade cake recipe. If using a homemade recipe, be sure that it makes enough for two cake pans.

Step 3 - Pour cake batter into prepared pans

Divide the cake batter evenly between the two cake pans.
Divide the cake batter evenly between the two cake pans. | Source

Step 4 - Cool baked cakes

Follow recipe directions for baking. Allow cakes to cool completely on a baking rack before cutting and frosting.
Follow recipe directions for baking. Allow cakes to cool completely on a baking rack before cutting and frosting. | Source

Step 5 - Cut the round cake in half

Cut the round cake evenly in half using a sharp knife. Only cut after cake is completely cooled.
Cut the round cake evenly in half using a sharp knife. Only cut after cake is completely cooled. | Source

Step 6 - Assemble the cake for frosting

Using a large tray, assemble the unfrosted cake. Place the square cake on the diagonal and place the two halves of the circular cake at the top left and right. The heart shape is formed.
Using a large tray, assemble the unfrosted cake. Place the square cake on the diagonal and place the two halves of the circular cake at the top left and right. The heart shape is formed. | Source

Step 7 - Frost the cake

Using the tub of frosting, frost the cake. Begin by applying a thin frosting layer on the cut edges of the round cake and adhere them to the square. Continue frosting. If the layers are not the same height, use frosting to even out the surface.
Using the tub of frosting, frost the cake. Begin by applying a thin frosting layer on the cut edges of the round cake and adhere them to the square. Continue frosting. If the layers are not the same height, use frosting to even out the surface. | Source

Step 8 - Decorate the cake

Using decorations of your choice, decorate the cake. To get the glitter hearts, I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter and gently laid it on the cake surface. Then I added glitter to the center of the cutter.
Using decorations of your choice, decorate the cake. To get the glitter hearts, I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter and gently laid it on the cake surface. Then I added glitter to the center of the cutter. | Source

Suggestions for your heart-shaped cake

You don't have to use a cake mix for this recipe. As long as it makes enough batter for two pans, your favorite recipe will work just as well. Here are just a few ideas for your cake.

  • Vanilla cake with chocolate or vanilla frosting
  • Chocolate cake with chocolate or vanilla frosting
  • Strawberry cake with vanilla frosting
  • Mint chocolate cake with chocolate or vanilla frosting
  • Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting
  • Decorate with toasted coconut
  • Decorate with fresh strawberries
  • Write "I Love You" with red hot candies on the cake
  • Use colored sugar or jimmies as a decoration
  • Use chocolate shavings as a decoration
  • Add food coloring to frosting for a different look
  • Use cookie cutters as templates to sprinkle sugar designs on the frosted cake
  • Instead of frosting, use a doily as a template and sprinkle powdered sugar on the cake
  • Microwave a store-bought tub of frosting for 30 second on 50% power. Stir and pour over the cooled cake. If it's too thick after 30 seconds, keep microwaving in 10 second intervals until it's just pourable. It makes a nice ganache for the cake.

© 2013 Claudia Mitchell

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    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      4 years ago

      Thanks Sunshine - Sorry for the late response. This method makes it super easy for folks that don't have the heart shaped pan.

    • Sunshine625 profile image

      Linda Bilyeu 

      4 years ago from Orlando, FL

      I usually use a heart shaped pan, but this is a very clever way of making the heart cake without the pan! :)

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Chris. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub. We still have time to make one before Thursday! :-)

    • ChrisMcDade8 profile image

      Christine McDade 

      6 years ago from Southwest Florida

      I love this cake and will be giving it a try. I love the photos which make the step by step instructions very easy to follow. The first photo, the completed cake, is a great pic which makes the reader want to make it. Voted up!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks Written Up. It's a great treat for the upcoming holiday!

    • Written Up profile image

      Written Up 

      6 years ago from Oklahoma City, OK

      This is awesome - great pics, too. Love it.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks Frangipanni! Cooks always need a few secrets so they can turn out cool looking things.

    • Frangipanni profile image

      Frangipanni 

      6 years ago

      Fantastic for Valentines Day. Those newbies in the kitchen can look like pros!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      emilybee - I appreciate the comments. I like doing things on the cheap side and don't have a lot of kitchen space for pans so this works out perfectly.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Jeannieinabottle! Let me know how it works out.

    • emilybee profile image

      emilybee 

      6 years ago

      That is awesome! I was all ready to go out and buy a heart shaped pan...never even considered making one without it. So simple!!! Thanks!

    • Jeannieinabottle profile image

      Jeannie Marie 

      6 years ago from Baltimore, MD

      These cake looks so beautiful! I want to give this a try for Valentine's Day. Thanks for sharing!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      I'm glad you like the hub rebeccamealey! It's fun to make and always impresses friends and families!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Au fait! Glad it brought back memories. It is definitely a cake one can really "fancy" up a lot. I appreciate the support.

    • rebeccamealey profile image

      Rebecca Mealey 

      6 years ago from Northeastern Georgia, USA

      I always wondered how a heart-shaped cake was made. Now I know. It seems so simple. What a yummy looking cake! Voted helpful and shared.

    • Au fait profile image

      C E Clark 

      6 years ago from North Texas

      My sister made one of these just the way you recommend when we were kids growing up. When I saw this hub it brought back memories and made me think how this hub may be just what some people are looking for with Valentine's Day just a month away. This is a pretty cake and can be made to look so impressive, yet it's easy. Voted up, useful, and will share!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks dobo700. I appreciate you reading the hub.

    • dobo700 profile image

      dobo700 

      6 years ago from Australia

      Very clever, I would never have thought of combining a square and around cake.

      Thanks

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Gypsy48 - That is my favorite part of this trick. I have limited kitchen space and don't have room for lots of pans. I can still do a fun cake and not get more clutter by adding a new pan. Thanks for visiting.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Suzie - Thanks for all of the support! Chocolate and berries sounds really good and add some freshness to it. I hope you give it a try.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks tattuwurn. I'm glad you enjoyed the hub.

    • Gypsy48 profile image

      Gypsy48 

      6 years ago

      Thanks for sharing this handy tip for creating a heart shaped cake. I don't have to purchase a heart shaped pan now:) Voted up and useful

    • Suzie HQ profile image

      Suzanne Ridgeway 

      6 years ago from Dublin, Ireland

      Hi Glimmer Twin Fan,

      Love this heart shaped cake, so easy but so so effective. I was wondering how toy would get the heart shape, love the simplicity of two shapes made into a heart! Think a chocolate version would definitely be my top choice with berries and cream. Great recipe full of info and alternative toppings.

      Voted, shared and pinned . . . . a definite winner with Valentine's Day around the corner!

    • profile image

      tattuwurn 

      6 years ago

      Wow, this is really genius! It only takes a one squared pan and one round pan to make a heart-shaped cake. It can be two-layered if one likes a bigger cake. I like the glitters, so cute! Voted up and awesome.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks savingkathy. Your kids will love it. My daughter always loves this one and it makes her smile.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Mary! The glitter sugar was fun and adds a lot of zip to the cake. I appreciate the support!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks breakfastpop.

    • savingkathy profile image

      Kathy Sima 

      6 years ago from Ontario, Canada

      Thanks for sharing this easy way to make a heart shaped cake. It will be perfect for Valentine's Day. I am definitely going to make one for the kids!

    • mary615 profile image

      Mary Hyatt 

      6 years ago from Florida

      You know I'm a baker and love to make different kinds of cakes to decorate. I love this idea. I like the way you used the glitter to decorate the hearts on the cake. Well done.

      I voted this UP, etc. and will share, and Pin

    • breakfastpop profile image

      breakfastpop 

      6 years ago

      What a sweet idea for Valentine's Day...

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Oh - Your mom will love it shiningirisheyes. That's a sweet idea. Thanks for commenting.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      I appreciate it cdmwriter. It's so easy and always impresses. I wish everything in life was that easy!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Thelma. I hope you give it a try soon. Have a good day.

    • shiningirisheyes profile image

      Shining Irish Eyes 

      6 years ago from Upstate, New York

      I sincerely thank you for this! I could not believe how obviously easy it was once you spelled it out! I will be surprising my Mom with a cake for Valentines day.

      Thanks again!

    • cdmwriter profile image

      cdmwriter 

      6 years ago

      I would never have thought of the way you combined the round and square cakes to make a heart! Very clever.

    • Thelma Alberts profile image

      Thelma Alberts 

      6 years ago from Germany and Philippines

      This is a great idea. I have made a heart shape cake before but with the use of heart shape baking form. Now, I could try a smaller heart shape cake with the use of this hub. Thanks for sharing. Voted up and more;-)

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      I appreciate the comments ChitrangadaSharan. The best part about doing it this way is you don't need a special pan. Thanks.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      I won't laugh at you MHatter! I still can't figure out how to text on my cell phone that I have had for 3 years! My daughter does laugh at me and then tries to teach me how to use it. Thanks for visiting.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks petweddingtheme4u. I hope you get a chance to try it. It's always a lot of fun.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much Janine. Your girls will love it and be impressed with the fancy cake. I bet they would love pink frosting too!

    • ChitrangadaSharan profile image

      Chitrangada Sharan 

      6 years ago from New Delhi, India

      This is wonderful! I have made heart shaped cakes before with the cake mould I have in this particular shape. But this is such a innovative idea. I am certainly going to try in this way, as the pictures you have added and the instructions you have provided are quite helpful. Thanks for sharing.

    • Mhatter99 profile image

      Martin Kloess 

      6 years ago from San Francisco

      Please don't laugh at me. It took me at least 10 years of making cakes to realize I cut the cake into ships, animals and all sorts of things. Thank you for this.

    • petweddingtheme4u profile image

      Becky Grant 

      6 years ago from Connecticut

      Oh how cute. That is a perfect idea for valentines day. Hopefully I could find some time to bake one.

    • Janine Huldie profile image

      Janine Huldie 

      6 years ago from New York, New York

      Love this and am so going to try to make for my girls on Valentine's Day. Thanks seriously for sharing. I have pinned, tweeted, shared and voted way up!!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks SmartAndFun - This is a fun one My daughter loves shaped cakes and this one is so easy.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      I appreciate the comments bdegiulio. It is amazingly simple with no fancy pan needed. That is my favorite part. I hope you give it a try.

    • SmartAndFun profile image

      SmartAndFun 

      6 years ago from Texas

      Great idea, and just in time for Valentine's Day! I love to make shaped cakes with plain old pans. Fun for kids, too.

    • bdegiulio profile image

      Bill De Giulio 

      6 years ago from Massachusetts

      This is great. I was thinking you were going to be trying to cut one of the cakes into the shape of a heart. This is so easy. I'll have to give this a try, looks easy enough for even me. Thanks for sharing, great timing with Valentines Day coming.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks so much teaches. All chocolate with some strawberries on top would be good too. Thanks for commenting.

    • teaches12345 profile image

      Dianna Mendez 

      6 years ago

      This is just in time for Valentine's Day. Of course mine will be pure chocolate!! I like the fun facts and now I know where the expression heart in your sleeve comes from. Voted up!

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Thanks ChristyWrites. My daughter is eating a piece right now. She is my official taste tester.

    • Glimmer Twin Fan profile imageAUTHOR

      Claudia Mitchell 

      6 years ago

      Even you can make this Bill and I bet it would surprise and impress Bev if you did! Thanks for the visit.

    • ChristyWrites profile image

      Christy Birmingham 

      6 years ago from British Columbia, Canada

      Awesome! Want :)

    • billybuc profile image

      Bill Holland 

      6 years ago from Olympia, WA

      Why is it that I can write a hub that will make people cry, but I can't bake a cake???? LOL Thanks for the instructions; hopefully I'll be able to follow them.

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