If you’re searching for the ultimate show-stopping dessert, this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake absolutely delivers! It’s a joyful fusion of rich chocolate and fresh strawberry flavors, with a sweet surprise: tender pink strawberry cake hearts hidden inside every slice. Swirled with dreamy strawberry cream cheese frosting and showered in sprinkles, this gluten-free beauty is unmistakably romantic, delightfully fun, and utterly irresistible for any celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed by how just a few essential ingredients come together to create something so impressive. Each one plays a special role, from flavor and color to texture and that unforgettable hidden heart.
- Bittersweet chocolate chips: The foundation of our moist chocolate loaf, lending decadence and depth in every bite.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds much-needed richness and ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cake crumb.
- Cream cheese, softened: Creates the tangy, silky base for our gorgeous strawberry buttercream topping.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, giving it that perfect velvety texture.
- Strawberry extract: Infuses the frosting with summery berry flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Pink food coloring gel: Adds a festive blush to the frosting, echoing the heart surprise inside!
- Sprinkles: The finishing touch for pizzazz and a playful pop of color on top.
- Gluten-free chocolate cake batter: Use your favorite recipe or a reliable mix for best results, making sure it’s rich and sturdy enough to hold the strawberry hearts.
- Strawberry cake for hearts: Bake in a thin layer, then cut into heart shapes to tuck inside the chocolate loaf for the signature surprise.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake
Step 1: Bake the Strawberry Heart Cake
Begin by whipping up a simple strawberry cake batter and pouring it onto a lined sheet pan. Bake just until set, then let it cool completely—patience is key here to avoid crumbling. Once cooled, grab your favorite heart-shaped cookie cutter and punch out as many vibrant pink hearts as possible. These will create the delightful hidden design inside your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake.
Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter
In a heatproof bowl, gently melt your bittersweet chocolate chips together with the softened butter. Stir until smooth and glossy, letting that intoxicating chocolate aroma fill your kitchen. This melted mixture forms the ultra-rich backbone of your gluten-free chocolate cake batter.
Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter
Combine your cooled chocolate-butter mixture with the remaining cake ingredients (either homemade or from a quality gluten-free mix). Mix until everything looks silky and well-blended—this batter should be luscious, thick, and ready to cradle those precious strawberry hearts.
Step 4: Assemble the Heart Cake Surprise
Pour a thin layer of chocolate batter into the bottom of a greased loaf pan. Carefully arrange the strawberry hearts in a neat row, standing upright and packed snugly together down the center—this guarantees that iconic heart-in-every-slice reveal. Once they’re lined up, gently cover them with the rest of the chocolate batter until hidden from sight.
Step 5: Bake
Slide the loaf pan into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The center should spring back lightly when touched, and a toothpick inserted into the chocolate portion should come out clean. Let the entire loaf cool completely before moving on—this ensures a flawless slice that reveals the perfect heart shape within your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cake cools, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, strawberry extract, and a drop of pink food coloring. Keep whipping until the frosting is light, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy—the strawberry aroma will make you want to dive right in!
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled loaf, making billowy pink swirls or smoothing the top for a polished look. Shower the whole cake with festive sprinkles and let your creativity shine—your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake is ready to be the star of any celebration!
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake
Garnishes
This cake is a stunner all on its own, but a few simple garnishes can elevate it even further. Try topping each slice with a fresh strawberry half, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a bakery-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
For a romantic touch or special occasion, serve your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a swirl of homemade whipped cream, or a handful of fresh berries. A cup of espresso or hot chocolate makes the perfect cozy pairing!
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to get playful with your presentation! Arrange bright strawberry slices around the cake, or serve each piece on a heart-shaped plate for maximum wow factor. For parties, try slicing and arranging individual servings on a dessert platter with scattered edible flowers for a truly memorable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake fresh, cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually meld and intensify overnight, making the cake even more delicious the next day!
Freezing
If you need to freeze the cake, slice it first and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months—just defrost slices in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
You can enjoy this cake straight from the fridge, but for a just-baked taste, let slices come to room temperature or microwave for a few seconds. The frosting will soften and the chocolate flavor will blossom beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use a different shape for the hidden cake instead of hearts?
Absolutely! While the heart shape is classic for the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake, stars, circles, or even letters all work for different occasions.
How do I make sure the strawberry hearts don’t move during baking?
Snugly packing the hearts upright in the pan before pouring the batter is key. If you keep them tightly packed and pour batter gently, they should stay perfectly in place.
Is there a dairy-free version for the frosting?
Yes! Use plant-based cream cheese and a dairy-free butter substitute for the frosting. The result is still creamy, tangy, and delicious with a strawberry punch.
Can I make this with regular flour if I’m not gluten-free?
Definitely. Just swap in your favorite regular chocolate cake recipe or cake mix—everything else stays the same for a winning Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake.
Which food coloring works best for vibrant hearts and frosting?
Gel food coloring gives you the strongest and brightest pink hues without affecting the frosting’s or cake’s texture. Just a drop or two is all you need!
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake is pure joy to bake, serve, and eat. It’s a guaranteed smile-maker for romantic evenings, birthdays, or anytime you want to show some extra love—whether for those around you or yourself! Gather your ingredients, let your inner baker shine, and share a slice of homemade happiness.
Print
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chocolate Covered Strawberry Heart Cake is a romantic and delicious dessert, perfect for Valentine’s Day or a self-love celebration! A rich chocolate loaf cake hides a heart-shaped strawberry cake surprise inside, frosted with fluffy strawberry cream cheese buttercream and finished with sprinkles. Plus, it’s gluten-free and vegetarian, making it a sweet treat for everyone!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons strawberry extract
- 1 drop pink food coloring gel
For Decoration:
- 2 tablespoons sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberry Heart Cake: Bake a small strawberry cake in a thin sheet pan. Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out multiple hearts.
- Make the Chocolate Loaf Cake Batter: Melt bittersweet chocolate chips and butter together. Prepare your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake batter (or use a mix).
- Assemble the Cake: Pour a thin layer of chocolate cake batter into a loaf pan. Arrange the strawberry cake hearts in a straight row, standing upright. Cover with the remaining chocolate batter to hide the hearts.
- Bake the Cake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, strawberry extract, and pink food coloring until light and fluffy.
- Frost & Decorate: Spread the strawberry cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with festive sprinkles for a Valentine’s Day touch!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
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