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Whip up some childhood magic with these DIY heart-shaped treats. Each mouthful delivers soft vanilla cake wrapped around a pillowy marshmallow middle, topped with a delightful pink candy shell that's just right for Valentine's Day fun.
These cute little cakes transport you back to your childhood while letting you make them exactly how you want. There's something extra special about baking them yourself and watching others enjoy your handiwork.
Must-Have Components
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Creates the soft cake structure
- Granulated sugar (1½ cups): Adds just enough sweetness
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): Gives a luxurious, damp feel
- Large eggs (4): Provides stability and depth
- Buttermilk (1 cup): Brings extra softness to the cake
- Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Boosts the taste profile
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Makes sure cakes rise nicely
- Fine sea salt (½ teaspoon): Cuts through sweetness
- Marshmallow fluff (7 oz): Makes the fluffy center
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): Brings creaminess to filling
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Adds sweetness and texture
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Perks up the filling
- Fine sea salt (pinch): Rounds out sweetness
- Pink candy melts (24 oz): Creates the outer shell
- White candy melts (4 oz): Adds pretty patterns
- Coconut oil (2 tablespoons): Makes coating smoother
Cooking Directions
- Get Your Cake Ready:
- Put parchment in your pan. Whip butter till fluffy, then slowly mix in sugar. Add eggs one by one. Switch between adding flour mix and buttermilk. Tap to pop air pockets.
- Cook It Just Right:
- Pour batter into pan and level it out. Bake until it turns golden and feels firm.
- Whip Up the Middle:
- Beat butter until it's light. Slowly mix in fluff and sugar. Add vanilla and salt, then beat till super fluffy.
- Put On the Shell:
- Dunk frozen cake combos into pink coating. Add white squiggles on top.
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Watching your temps and timing helps nail the perfect feel in these throwback treats. Every step works together to make these look and taste like they came from a fancy bakery.
Ways to Present
Stack them on pretty cake stands with strawberries and mint leaves. Make dinner parties fancier by pairing with cute handwritten notes. Line them up in heart shapes as table decorations.
Mix It Up
Switch vanilla for almond or rose flavors. Put fruit flavor in the middle. Pick different colored coatings. Add a layer of chocolate for extra indulgence.
Keeping Them Fresh
Store in sealed containers with parchment between each layer. They'll stay good for 2 days on the counter or 7 days in the fridge. You can freeze uncoated cakes up to 1 month.
These Valentine's treats aren't just fun to make but even better to share. Seeing someone's face light up when they bite into your homemade version makes all your work worth it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
- Sure! They’ll stay fresh in a sealed container for days or freeze them for a longer shelf life.
- → Why does everything need to be room temp?
- It helps the batter come together smoothly, giving you a tender and even cake.
- → Can I use other candy melt colors?
- Yes! Change up the colors to fit any event or occasion you like.
- → Why freeze the cakes before coating them?
- It keeps the cakes firm, so they don’t break and coat smoothly.
- → Can I choose a different shape?
- Absolutely! Hearts are festive, but stars, circles, or anything else can be just as fun.