Elegant Black Frosted Heart Cake – Winter Holiday Dessert

Ingredients

• • 2 ⅞ cups all-purpose flour
• • 1 ⅞ cups granulated sugar
• • ⅞ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• • 4 ⅞ large eggs
• • 1 ⅞ cup whole milk
• • 1 ⅞ tsp baking powder
• • 1 ⅞ tsp vanilla extract
• • ⅞ tsp salt
• • ⅞ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• • 1 ⅞ cup heavy cream
• • 2 ⅞ cups powdered sugar
• • ⅞ tsp activated charcoal (optional for deeper black)
• • Edible gold leaf sheets
• • Turquoise sugar decorations

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease heart-shaped cake pan. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add softened butter and eggs, mixing until smooth. Gradually add milk and vanilla extract.

2. 2

   Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

3. 3

   In a bowl, whip heavy cream and cocoa powder until stiff peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and activated charcoal (if using) for intense black color. Add 1-2 tsp milk to adjust consistency.

4. 4

   Place cooled cake on a serving plate. Use an offset spatula to spread frosting evenly. Chill for 15 minutes to set.

5. 5

   Gently press edible gold leaf and turquoise sugar decorations onto the frosting. Use a piping bag to add striped accents around the cake edges.