Description
Little Debbie valentine cakes bring nostalgic sweetness to homemade desserts. Red velvet sponge and cream cheese frosting create a delightful treat perfect for celebrating love with a classic American snack cake.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
- Red gel food coloring
Frosting Ingredients:
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) heavy cream
Coating and Decoration:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) white chocolate or white candy melts
- 2 ounces (57 grams) pink or red candy melts (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the cake foundation by preheating the oven and preparing the baking vessel with parchment paper and a light grease coating.
- Combine dry ingredients like flour, leavening agents, and salt in a separate mixing container.
- In a larger mixing bowl, thoroughly cream butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy consistency. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition.
- Gently fold vanilla extract into the butter mixture, then systematically introduce dry ingredients and buttermilk, alternating between components to maintain a smooth batter texture.
- Introduce red gel food coloring to create a vibrant pink hue throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, distributing evenly and creating a uniform layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a testing implement emerges clean when inserted into the cake’s center, approximately 18-20 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool completely at room temperature.
- Prepare the cream filling by whipping butter until achieving a creamy consistency.
- Gradually integrate powdered sugar, mixing until the filling becomes smooth and uniform.
- Enhance the filling with vanilla extract and heavy cream, whipping until light and fluffy.
- Utilize a heart-shaped cutting tool to extract cake hearts from the cooled base.
- Generously apply cream filling onto half of the cake hearts, creating sandwich-like configurations.
- Gently position complementary hearts atop the filled portions.
- Refrigerate the assembled cakes briefly to enhance structural integrity.
- Melt white chocolate or candy melts using controlled microwave intervals, stirring between heating cycles.
- Carefully immerse each cake heart into the melted coating, ensuring complete coverage.
- Position the coated hearts on a parchment-lined surface.
- Prepare pink or red candy melts for decorative drizzling.
- Embellish the coated hearts with artistic chocolate drizzles.
- Allow the chocolate coating to solidify completely at ambient temperature or within the refrigerator.
- Serve and enjoy the delicate valentine-themed confections.
Notes
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense cake by gently folding ingredients until just combined.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without altering the cake’s consistency, and add gradually to achieve desired pink shade.
- Chill the cream filling briefly before piping to make it easier to handle and create neater sandwich cakes.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
- Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit, adjusting quantities to maintain moisture and sweetness.
- Create dairy-free options by replacing butter with coconut oil and using non-dairy milk or cream alternatives in the filling.
- Store assembled cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing them to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg