Surprise Heart Holiday Loaf Cake
A delightful red velvet and green cake that surprises with heart-shaped layers for a festive dessert.
Ingredients
For the Red Velvet Layer
- 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix Follow package instructions
- 4 large eggs Room temperature
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup water
For the Green Cake Layer
- 1 cup unsalted butter Softened to room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs Room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk Ensure moisture
- as needed green food coloring For color
For the Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk To achieve desired consistency
For Decoration
- as desired holiday-themed decorations To top the cake
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan, lining it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the red velvet layer according to package directions, mixing the cake mix with required eggs, oil, and water. Pour into a 9x13-inch pan and bake for about 20–25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts from the cooled red velvet cake and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk, until smooth.
- Add green food coloring to the batter, stirring until the desired shade is achieved.
- Pour a thin layer of green batter into the loaf pan and stand the red velvet hearts upright in the center.
- Pour the remaining green batter around and over the hearts, ensuring they are fully covered.
Baking
- Bake the loaf for 50–60 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.
- Allow the loaf to cool completely in the pan before removing it.
Icing and Decoration
- Mix powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf.
- Sprinkle holiday decorations on top before serving.
Notes
Ensure the red velvet layer has cooled completely before cutting out the hearts. You can freeze the cake for up to three months by wrapping it tightly. For variations, consider sugar substitutes or using whole wheat flour.