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

Author:
Claudia Mitchell
Updated date:
Feb 17, 2020

Claudia has been writing recipes online for many 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
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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.
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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.
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Step 4 - Cool Baked Cakes

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