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Valentine’s Day cake

Valentine's Day layer cake with pink buttercream and heart sprinkles.
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A moist and tender vanilla layer cake with silky buttercream frosting, perfect for a heartwarming celebration. Designed for interactive decorating, it turns baking into a joyful family activity. The recipe focuses on fun and flavor over perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
  • Optional: few drops red or pink gel food coloring
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 5-6 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Valentine’s sprinkles, heart candies, or fresh berries
  • Optional: extra frosting tinted for piping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease, flour, and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla. Add gel coloring if using.
  5. With mixer on low, add 1/3 of flour mixture, then half the milk. Repeat, ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
  6. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. For frosting, beat softened butter until smooth. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar on low speed.
  9. Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium-high 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Add more powdered sugar until thick and spreadable.
  10. Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread with frosting. Top with second layer.
  11. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over entire cake. Chill 15-20 minutes.
  12. Apply final thick layer of frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, candies, or piped details as desired.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are room temperature for best results. Do not frost warm cakes. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Store covered at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/valentines-day-cake/