You’re probably unaware that Valentine’s Day cake traditions date back to 19th-century Europe. Now, you’re looking for unique recipes to impress your loved one.
With so many options, it’s hard to choose – but you’re about to discover 10 show-stopping cakes that will make your heart skip a beat.
1. Classic Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Classic Red Velvet Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons red food coloring
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add red food coloring and mix until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
- Beat in vanilla extract.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes are cool, spread cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer and place the other layer on top.
- Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
2. Decadent Chocolate Lava Cake
Indulge in a rich, gooey chocolate experience with this decadent lava cake.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 ounces high-quality dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Butter six 6-ounce ramekins and dust with sugar.
- Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler or in the microwave.
- Whisk together the eggs and flour, then add the sugar and vanilla extract.
- Pour the egg mixture into the melted chocolate and mix until smooth.
- Divide the batter among the prepared ramekins.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes before inverting onto plates.
3. Strawberry Shortcake Delight
Indulge in a sweet Strawberry Shortcake Delight on Valentine’s Day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- Confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add cold butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream and eggs.
- Add the cream mixture to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough and cut into rounds.
- Bake the shortcakes for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Split the shortcakes in half horizontally.
- Spoon sliced strawberries over the shortcakes.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve.
4. Vanilla Bean Cake With Raspberry Sauce
Delicate vanilla bean cake paired with sweet and tangy raspberry sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for the sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add sugar to the butter and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to fully incorporate before adding the next.
- Beat in vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the raspberry sauce, combine raspberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch in a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth, then strain the seeds from the sauce using a fine-mesh sieve.
- Add lemon juice to the sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve the cake with the raspberry sauce spooned over the top.
5. Moist Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Ganache
Indulge in a rich, decadent chocolate cake with velvety ganache.
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler and let cool slightly.
- Add the flour mixture to the milk mixture, whisking until just combined.
- Pour in the melted chocolate and whisk until smooth.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the ganache, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to simmer.
- Remove from heat and pour over the confectioners’ sugar and unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl.
- Let it sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Place one of the cooled cakes on a serving plate and spread a layer of ganache on top.
- Place the second cake on top and pour the remaining ganache over the cake, smoothing the top and sides.
6. Lemon Lavender Pound Cake
Lemon Lavender Pound Cake is a moist and flavorful dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the lemon juice and lavender buds.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- Beat just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake
Indulge in a rich and decadent Espresso Chocolate Chip Cake.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and milk until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
- Whisk in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the cocoa mixture, whisking until just combined.
- Stir in chocolate chips and espresso powder.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist carrot cake paired with creamy cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the carrots and walnuts.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract, then gradually add the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of frosting on top.
- Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
9. Amaretto Almond Cake With Fresh Berries
Indulge in a moist and flavorful Amaretto Almond Cake paired with fresh berries.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together butter, milk, eggs, almond extract, and amaretto liqueur.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the sliced almonds.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once the cakes are cool, place one layer on a serving plate and top with fresh berries.
- Place the second layer on top and serve.
10. Rich Flourless Chocolate Cake With Whipped Cream
Rich, decadent cake for chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces high-quality dark chocolate
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipped cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 9-inch springform pan.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy.
- Fold the egg mixture into the melted chocolate until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is still slightly jiggly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Once the cake is cool, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
- Serve the cake with a dollop of whipped cream and enjoy.
Conclusion
You’ll be the key to unsealing your loved one’s heart with these Valentine’s Day cake recipes. Each bite is a symbol of love, tenderly crafted to melt their heart. As you serve, the cake will be the flame that ignites a romantic evening, leaving a lasting impression, just like a perfect kiss.