Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
- 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup neutral oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Frosting:
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch heart-shaped cake pan (or line a rectangular pan with parchment paper).
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Cream together butter and sugar in a separate bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
- Slowly pour in boiling water while mixing on low speed.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract and salt.
- Beat in cocoa powder until frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cake and decorate as desired.
Notes
- This recipe is easily adaptable to be gluten-free and dairy-free.
- Be sure to use room-temperature ingredients for best results.
- Get creative with the frosting and decorations!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: heart cake, chocolate cake, easy cake recipe, Valentine's Day dessert, birthday cake, celebration cake