Imagine a dessert so irresistibly romantic that it captures the essence of love in every single slice! This Strawberry Orange Heart Cake isn't just a dessert—it's a culinary declaration of affection that will make your Valentine's Day unforgettable. With its vibrant strawberry chunks, zesty orange undertones, and stunning heart-shaped design, this cake promises to melt hearts faster than it melts in your mouth.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Whipped cream (for frosting)
- Fresh strawberries (for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a heart-shaped cake pan, ensuring all edges are well-coated to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure complete incorporation.
- Gently fold in the orange zest and orange juice, mixing until evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Carefully fold in the chopped fresh strawberries, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared heart-shaped cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost the cake with whipped cream, covering the top and sides evenly.
- Decorate the cake with fresh whole and sliced strawberries, arranging them in a decorative pattern on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the frosting to set and flavors to meld.
- Slice and serve chilled, perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day dessert.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't overmix the batter—mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- For extra moisture, you can substitute some milk with fresh orange juice.
- Ensure your strawberries are fresh and pat them dry before adding to prevent excess moisture in the cake.
- When decorating, arrange strawberries strategically to create a visually stunning presentation.
- Chill the cake before serving to help the whipped cream frosting set and enhance flavor melding.
- For a more intense orange flavor, you can add a drop of orange extract to the batter.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 85mg
