Description
This delightful Hidden Heart Chocolate Loaf Cake is perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries. A moist, rich chocolate loaf hides a sweet surprise inside—a beautiful pink heart-shaped sponge! It’s not just delicious, but also a showstopper when sliced.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pink Heart Sponge:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Pink or red food coloring
For the Chocolate Loaf:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120ml) milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Pink Heart Sponge:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk.
- Add pink or red food coloring until the desired shade is achieved.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool completely, then cut into slices about 1 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts from each slice. Set aside.
- Prepare the Chocolate Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (if needed again). Clean and re-line the loaf pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, until well combined.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Pour a thin layer of chocolate batter into the bottom of the loaf pan.
- Line the heart-shaped cutouts vertically in a straight line down the center of the loaf pan.
- Gently pour the remaining chocolate batter around and over the hearts, making sure they are fully covered.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the chocolate part comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve:
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice to reveal the hidden heart surprise inside!
Notes
Use a smaller heart cookie cutter to ensure the shape fits well inside the loaf.
Add chocolate chips to the batter for an extra chocolatey twist.
Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any romantic occasion.