Description
Discover the charm of the Hidden Heart Strawberry Surprise Cake, a delightful vanilla loaf cake with a magical secret inside—a vibrant pink strawberry heart hidden at the center of every slice. This impressive yet easy-to-make cake is perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or anniversaries, and brings a touch of whimsy, love, and nostalgia to any kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Strawberry Hearts:
- 1 box strawberry cake mix
- Eggs, oil & water (as listed on the box)
- Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
For the Vanilla Loaf:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk (whole or 2%)
Instructions
- Bake the Strawberry Cake: Prepare the strawberry cake mix according to the package directions and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan to ensure clean cuts later. Once cooled, turn it out onto a cutting board and slice into 1-inch thick strips. Use a 2–2.5 inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from each slice. Gently push the hearts out and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for 15–20 minutes to firm them up for easy handling.
- Preheat & Prep the Loaf Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan generously with butter or non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides to help lift out the finished cake.
- Make the Vanilla Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar using a hand or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then beat in vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three parts alternating with milk in two parts, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble the Cake: Pour about ¾ cup of the vanilla batter into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan and smooth into an even layer. Remove the frozen strawberry hearts from the freezer and stand them up vertically, snugly side-by-side, in a single row down the center of the pan on top of the batter. Gently spoon and spread the remaining vanilla batter around and over the hearts, fully encasing them. Do this slowly and carefully to keep the hearts upright and evenly surrounded.
- Bake the Cake: Place the loaf pan on the oven’s center rack and bake for 45–55 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the vanilla batter portion (away from the heart area) comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes. Then use the parchment paper overhang to lift the cake out of the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing for the cleanest reveal of the hidden strawberry heart inside.
Notes
- Freeze the strawberry hearts before assembling to keep them firm and prevent crumbling or sinking in the batter.
- Avoid overmixing the vanilla batter once dry ingredients are added to maintain a light and tender crumb.
- Pour batter carefully around the hearts first to keep them standing upright and evenly distributed.
- Use a sharp serrated knife for clean slicing and beautiful presentation.
- Dust the finished cake with powdered sugar for an elegant and simple garnish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hidden heart cake, strawberry surprise cake, vanilla loaf cake, Valentine's Day dessert, fun cake recipe, strawberry cake mix, dessert surprise, bakery style cake
