Heart-Shaped Black Icing Cake with Pink Accents

Ingredients

• • 2 ⅞ cups all-purpose flour
• • 1 ⅞ cups granulated sugar
• • ⅞ cup unsalted butter, softened
• • ⅞ cup cocoa powder
• • 4 ⅞ large eggs
• • 1 ⅞ cup milk
• • 1 ⅞ tsp baking powder
• • ⅞ tsp salt
• • 1 ⅞ tsp vanilla extract
• • 2 ⅞ cups powdered sugar
• • ⅞ cup heavy cream
• • 2 ⅞ tbsp black food coloring
• • 1 ⅞ tbsp pink food coloring
• • 1 ⅞ tsp red food gel
• • ⅞ tsp teal food gel
• • ⅞ tsp yellow food gel

Instructions

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to the wet ingredients alternated with milk. Mix in vanilla extract.

2. 2

   Pour batter into a greased heart-shaped pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

3. 3

   Whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and black food coloring until smooth. Add cocoa powder for a richer texture. Pipe this onto the cooled cake to cover the top and sides.

4. 4

   Tint a portion of the remaining icing with pink food coloring. Use a piping bag with a star tip to create decorative borders around the cake's edges and center.

5. 5

   Divide remaining icing into small bowls. Add red, teal, and yellow food gel to create vibrant colors. Use a toothpick to swirl these colors into patchwork patterns on the cake sides.

6. 6

   Place a pre-made cartoon couple figurine or hand-draw one using edible markers on the top surface of the cake. Gently press to secure.