Valentine’s Day Cake Recipe

If you’re looking for something quick and easy to make for Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with chocolate cake. This is my FAVORITE tried-and-true chocolate cake recipe—one I’ve been using for over 15 years! Not only is it simple to prepare, but this Valentine’s Day cake is also easy to customize.

This cake is not only delicious but also versatile. Decorate it with your favorite sprinkles, colors, or personal touches to make it uniquely yours this Valentine’s Day!

I had so much fun piping simple hearts in red and pink on this easy Valentine’s Day Cake! I used two different-sized round tips and a small open star piping tip for added texture and variety.

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Valentines Cake INGREDIENTS

All you need to make this deliciously moist chocolate cake is a few simple pantry ingredients. Nothing fancy, just the basics.

Flour– Plain all-purpose flour is needed for this recipe.
Sugars– Both granulated sugar and powdered sugar is needed.
Cocoa Powder
Leaveners– Both baking soda and baking powder are used in this valentine’s cake recipe.
Salt
Milk– Use buttermilk for the best results. If you do not have buttermilk add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to your milk 5-10 minutes before you use it.
Heavy Cream– Used in the buttercream but can be substituted with milk if needed.
Oil– Lately, I’ve been using melted coconut oil in this cake recipe, and it works wonderfully! The original recipe calls for vegetable or canola oil, and I’ve tried all three with fantastic results every time.
Butter– Softened unsalted butter for the buttercream frosting.
Eggs
Vanilla Extract
Coffee– Freshly brewed coffee to enhance the chocolate cake flavor. This is a must! If you prefer you can use warm water in place of the coffee.

How To Make This Valentine’s Day Cake Recipe

This cake is so easy to make! The best part? You can mix the chocolate cake batter right in a single bowl; no heavy equipment needed. That means you’ll only need your mixer for the buttercream!

STEP 1

Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined.

STEP 2

In a large measuring cup or medium bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla extract and eggs.  Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.

STEP 3

Mix the freshly brewed coffee with the coconut oil (or, if using canola or vegetable oil, combine it with the buttermilk mixture). Stir until the coconut oil is completely melted. Then, add the coffee mixture to the cake batter and mix until fully combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

STEP 4

Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

STEP 5

Cream the butter in a mixer until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat on medium for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Frost the cake and decorate with sprinkles.

If you want to pipe hearts on your Valentine’s cake, set aside about 1/2 cup of the buttercream before frosting the cake. Then, divide the 1/2 cup into two portions. Color one portion red and the other pink.

Tip for Incorporating Coconut Oil into Cake Batter

Add the coconut oil to the freshly brewed coffee to keep it from solidifying.

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Tried This Recipe?

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Valentine’s Day Cake Recipe

Make this Valentine's Day extra special with a homemade chocolate cake. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for customizing!

Author: Sky Pilgreen Cooking Method: Baking Categories: Dessert Recipe Keys: D dessert V valentine's dessert

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Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 40 mins Total Time 1 hr 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner Cooking Temp: 350  °F Servings: 20

Chocolate Cake

Servings

• 1 ³⁄₄ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• ³⁄₄ cup cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¹⁄₂ cup coconut oil (or vegetable or canola oil)

• 1 cup coffee (freshly brewed)

Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

• 2 ¹⁄₂ cups powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon heavy cream

• as needed sprinkles

• as needed food coloring

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat an oven to 350°F and generously grease a 9x13 pan or line with parchment paper.

2. Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Mix until fully combined.

3. In a large measuring cup or medium bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla extract and eggs.  Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.

4. Mix the freshly brewed coffee with the coconut oil (or, if using canola or vegetable oil, combine it with the buttermilk mixture). Stir until the coconut oil is completely melted. Then, add the coffee mixture to the cake batter and mix until fully combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

5. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

1. Cream the butter in a mixer until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat on medium for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Frost the cake and decorate with sprinkles.

2. If you want to pipe hearts on your Valentine's cake, set aside about 1/2 cup of the buttercream before frosting the cake. Then, divide the 1/2 cup into two portions. Color one portion red and the other pink.