Southern Mom Loves: Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake for Your Valentine

Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake for Your Valentine

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #MyTuesdayValentine

Valentine's Day is approaching quickly, so it's time to plan how you'll show your partner your romantic spirit. *wiggly eyebrows* Will you buy a gift or make something with your own hands? Will there be food, drinks, and candlelight? Sweet cards to greet them in the morning?

I love planning little surprises for my hubby, one of which will be an impressive dessert and I think I made a doozy this year: a berry cream-filled conversation heart cake! This little cake has an inch-thick strawberry whipped cream layer above a layer of sweet, seedless raspberry preserves that brings the creamy, dreamy to this dessert.


This year Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday. I know. Urgh. That'll keep plenty of busy parents from having a full-on night out, but you can still find time to connect with your partner in little ways.


Mine just happens to be a sappy romantic...who turned me into a sappy romantic, too. Yes, we do cards, flowers, candy, and romantic dinners like it's nobody's business.


He has a weakness for fruity cakes. Me, I'll take a rich chocolate any day, but my hubs is enamored of strawberry and raspberry flavors.


With all of the cake-baking occasions (most occasions for me are cake-baking occasions) I've struggled over the years with new cake + frosting + fresh fruit combinations, but this year, I wanted to take his cake in a new direction. I decided to combine the berry flavors in a light and airy cake filled to the gills with fluffy stabilized whipped cream and covered with his favorite strawberry frosting. Y'all. So good.


It's got Conversation Heart cuteness too! You guys know by now that I don't have the time or the inclination to make every bit from scratch so you can be sure that anyone can make this cake and it won't take them all day. :)



In addition to this delightful dessert, I picked out a sweet American Greetings card. It's a simple way to brighten his day and tell him what he means to me.  This card will greet him in the morning while the other surprises will have to wait until after work. Tuesdays, y'all.


Meaningful connections don't have to be complicated. Sometimes the right words fail us, so it's nice to be able to pick up a card that says it all. If you need help composing a personalized message for your card, check out this post on What to Write in a Valentine’s Day Card.


To help you plan your Valentine's Day, American Greetings has created some adorable printables and wallpapers! I had fun with all of them. The first is a handy-dandy shopping list with cute tear-off love notes. They're perfect to stuff into pockets and lunchboxes before everyone goes about their day. 


The second is this printable gem. I knew this frame-worthy quote was going to have to be a part of my V-day decor as soon as I saw it. My husband is a lifelong Beatles fan and we actually danced to Beatles songs at our wedding, so it was kismet! 


They also have mobile/desktop wallpapers and a printable February calendar so you can keep track of the big day. You can find all of those Valentine's printables here. Have fun with it!


While I was there, I grabbed a few things for the kids too. It has become a tradition in our house to gift the kids a little something on Valentine's morning. My son is a bit too old for anything more than the candy now, but my daughter still loves waking up to sweet cards and treats. American Greetings has you covered with a whole host of gift bags, tissue papers, gift wraps, and stickers, too.


Yes, the kids got a cake too! :) I created this recipe to do two 6" heart-shaped cakes or one large 12" heart-shaped cake, so if you want to make a large cake for your sweetie, or a small cake for your Valentine and another for your kids or a bestie, you can do either. I'll give directions for both!


You can choose any conversation heart phrase to put on your cakes. Some fun choices are: True Love, Cutie, Kiss Me, Me & You, True Blue, Hug Me, Crazy 4U, First Kiss, Marry Me, Soul Mate, Sweet Pea, I Love You, Too Sweet, and You Rock. <3

Check out the recipe below, then watch the video to see just how it was made.

Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake

Makes: Two 6” cakes or one 12” cake
Source: Holly of Southern Mom Loves

Ingredients:
  • 1 white cake mix (+ eggs, water, and oil as directed on box)
  • 6 Tbsp. Raspberry preserves, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3.5 oz. package Instant Pudding Mix
  • 1/4 c. powdered sugar
  • 8 oz. refrigerated whipped topping
  • 2 containers of frosting (purchase desired cake colors or dye white icing with food coloring)
  • 1 container white frosting (to dye with red for the writing) OR a decorator's tube of ready-made red frosting

Supplies:
  • 6” or 12” heart-shaped cake pan
  • cake leveler OR large serrated bread knife
  • gel food colorings in your desired colors
  • toothpicks
  • pastry bag and icing tip for writing OR a gallon-sized zipper bag

Directions:
  1. Pre-heat the oven according to the directions on your cake mix box. Spray the heart pan with non-stick cooking spray and flour lightly.
  2. Mix the cake batter according to the directions on the box. If using a 6” pan, pour in half of the batter (about 2 cups.) If using a 12” pan, use all of the batter. Spread evenly in the pan.
  3. Bake as directed on the box (around 25-30 minutes for the 6" heart.) Check for doneness by piercing the center with a toothpick. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out completely dry.
  4. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for approx. 15 minutes, then turn out on a baking sheet or plate. Repeat steps 2 & 3 to make the second 6" cake.
  5. While the cake is baking, let's make the filling: Pour the milk into large bowl, then add the pudding mix and powdered sugar. Beat with a blender for 2 minutes. Gently fold in the whipped topping. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  6. Once both cakes are baked, allow to cool completely before icing. You can speed this process up by placing them in the freezer (uncovered on a baking sheet) for around 30 minutes. Level the tops of the cake if they need it.
  7. Divide each cake into 2 layers, then spread 3 Tbsp. of raspberry preserves over the bottom half of each cake.
  8. Divide the whipped topping and spoon onto the raspberry preserves layer of each cake and spread evenly to the edges. Cover with the top layer of the cake and gently press down.
  9. Use a spatula or knife to smooth any filling overflow evenly with the sides of the cake, scraping off any excess as you go, then place the cakes back in the freezer for approx. 30 minutes to help the filling set up.
  10. Create your icing colors! I bought one strawberry icing for the pink color, then made a pastel yellow with gel food coloring. Other conversation heart base colors include white and pastels in green, blue, orange, and purple. Ice your cakes with the desired colors.
  11. To write on your conversation heart cake: Conversation hearts usually have writing in red, hot pink, or orange, so I'm going with the classic red. 
    You can use red gel food coloring in white icing to make the red icing for the writing or buy a ready-made tube of decoration icing. You can find it in just about any grocery store.
    Conversation hearts are usually written in all capitals. Use a toothpick to write your message first, then go over the marks slowly and with even pressure on the piping bag. If you don't have a pastry bag and icing tips, fill the corner of a gallon-sized zipper storage bag with icing and snip off the tip of the bag. 
    The best way to finish a letter stroke is to stop, push the tip down a tiny bit, then pull the tip straight up while releasing the pressure on the bag. This will leave a little tail, but you can smooth those down later with a clean fingertip. Grab a sheet of parchment paper to practice before you start.






conversation heart, filled, cake, raspberry, cream,
Desserts
American
Yield: 18
Author:

Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake

Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake

This little cake has an inch-thick strawberry whipped cream layer above a layer of sweet, seedless raspberry preserves that brings the creamy, dreamy to this dessert.

ingredients:

Ingredients:
  • 1 white cake mix  (+ eggs, water, and oil as directed on box)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 c. oil
  • 6 Tbsp. Raspberry preserves, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3.5 oz. package Instant Pudding Mix
  • 1/4 c. powdered sugar
  • 8 oz. refrigerated whipped topping
  • 2 containers of frosting (purchase desired cake colors or dye white icing with food coloring)
  • 1 container white frosting (to dye with red for the writing) OR a decorator's tube of ready-made red frosting
Supplies:
  • either a 6” or 12” heart-shaped cake pan
  • cake leveler OR large serrated bread knife
  • gel food colorings in your desired colors
  • toothpicks
  • pastry bag and icing tip for writing OR a gallon-sized zipper bag

instructions:

How to cook Berry Cream-Filled Conversation Heart Cake

  1. Pre-heat the oven according to the directions on your cake mix box. Spray the heart pan with non-stick cooking spray and flour lightly.
  2. Mix the cake batter according to the directions on the box. If using a 6” pan, pour in half of the batter (about 2 cups.) If using a 12” pan, use all of the batter. Spread evenly in the pan.
  3. Bake as directed on the box (around 25-30 minutes for the 6" heart.) Check for doneness by piercing the center with a toothpick. The cake is done when the toothpick comes out completely dry.
  4. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for approx. 15 minutes, then turn out on a baking sheet or plate. Repeat steps 2 & 3 to make the second 6" cake.
  5. While the cake is baking, let's make the filling: Pour the milk into large bowl, then add the pudding mix and powdered sugar. Beat with a blender for 2 minutes. Gently fold in the whipped topping. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  6. Once both cakes are baked, allow to cool completely before icing. You can speed this process up by placing them in the freezer (uncovered on a baking sheet) for around 30 minutes. Level the tops of the cake if they need it.
  7. Divide each cake into 2 layers, then spread 3 Tbsp. of raspberry preserves over the bottom half of each cake.
  8. Divide the whipped topping and spoon onto the raspberry preserves layer of each cake and spread evenly to the edges. Cover with the top layer of the cake and gently press down.
  9. Use a spatula or knife to smooth any filling overflow evenly with the sides of the cake, scraping off any excess as you go, then place the cakes back in the freezer for approx. 30 minutes to help the filling set up.
  10. Create your icing colors! I bought one strawberry icing for the pink color, then made a pastel yellow with gel food coloring. Other conversation heart base colors include white and pastels in green, blue, orange, and purple. Ice your cakes with the desired colors.
  11. To write on your conversation heart cake: Conversation hearts usually have writing in red, hot pink, or orange, so I'm going with the classic red.
  12. You can use red gel food coloring in white icing to make the red icing for the writing or buy a ready-made tube of decoration icing. You can find it in just about any grocery store.
  13. Conversation hearts are usually written in all capitals. Use a toothpick to write your message first, then go over the marks slowly and with even pressure on the piping bag. If you don't have a pastry bag and icing tips, fill the corner of a gallon-sized zipper storage bag with icing and snip off the tip of the bag.
  14. The best way to finish a letter stroke is to stop, push the tip down a tiny bit, then pull the tip straight up while releasing the pressure on the bag. This will leave a little tail, but you can smooth those down later with a clean fingertip. Grab a sheet of parchment paper to practice before you start.

NOTES:

Makes: Two 6” cakes or one 12” cake
Calories
515.47
Fat (grams)
27.37
Sat. Fat (grams)
8.96
Carbs (grams)
68.90
Fiber (grams)
0.92
Net carbs
67.98
Sugar (grams)
60.20
Protein (grams)
2.90
Sodium (milligrams)
214.23
Cholesterol (grams)
25.33
This nutritional info is automatically generated from a database and may not represent the actual nutritional information of the ingredients you use.
Created using The Recipes Generator



Your sweetheart will get a kick out of this cake!


Place it on a pretty stand with a lovely card and some bubbly (or sparkling cider. Tuesdays, y'all) and you'll have a Valentine's Day to remember.


I hope you love this fluffy dream of a cake as much as I did. I'll be making it again soon for the big day. 


Because if I don't test it out first, who will?


It's a tough job, but I'll make it through somehow.


FYI, this can be made ahead and frozen until you need to serve it. Make sure to set it out on the counter to thaw a few hours before you cut it.


Find American Greetings products at a store near you here and surprise someone you love with a sweet card that will brighten their day.


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Do you have plans for Valentine's Day? What will you be doing? Will you try out this cake? I love to read your comments!

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