Valentine’s Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake

Valentine's Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake | Very Culinary

by Amy Flanigan on February 4, 2013 · 79 comments

How. Cute. Is. This!? Even I was a little giddy when I sliced a knife through to reveal it turned out perfectly. Cake was solid and moist, hearts plain as day, and the color wasn’t compromised. I originally saw the idea with a pumpkin shape , but didn’t have a chance to make it for Thanksgiving. So why not Valentine’s Day?! 

Valentine's Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake slice

There’s a lot of waiting involved with the cooking, cooling, and chilling, making this a day-long project. But it is SO SO easy. And the actual active time you’re on your feet is minimal. (Unless you’re taking step-by-step pictures…and then, well, forget about it.)

Valentine's Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake step by step

Give your friends and family a fun and loving surprise. They’ll think you’re a genius and be asking “how’d you do that??”

I can’t wait to put this in Haley’s lunchbox!

Valentine’s Day Peek-A-Boo Pound Cake
Serves 10
Cook time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Chill time: 2-4 hours
Total Active time: 25 minutes

Ingredients
• 2 (16 ounce) boxes Betty Crocker Pound Cake mix
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided, softened
• 4 eggs, divided
• 1 1/3 cups milk, divided
• red food coloring
Vanilla Icing
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Coat a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

Prepare your first pound cake: combine 1 box of cake mix, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) softened butter, 2 eggs, and 2/3 cup milk in a large bowl. Whisk together with an electric mixer or by hand. Add in your food coloring until you reach the desired color (I think I used 25 drops.)

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 8-10 minutes less than instructed on box (about 50 minutes.) Let cool, remove from pan and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Cut cold cake into slices the thickness of your cookie cutter. Cut heart shapes from the slices. Set aside.

Prepare your second box of pound cake mix the same as the first, except omit the food coloring. Coat a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray and pour just barely enough batter to cover the bottom. Align your heart cut-outs down the center, keeping them tightly together. Poor the remaining batter over the heart cut-outs in the pan, making sure to cover the sides and tops. (Careful the batter doesn’t overflow.) Bake according to the directions on the box, about 1 hour. Let cool when done.

Meanwhile, prepare your icing. In a medium bowl, mix all of your ingredients together until combined and creamy. Add more powdered sugar if it appears too runny or more milk if it seems too stiff, until you reach the consistency you like.

Remove baked and cooled pound cake from pan and top with icing. Let set; cut into slices and enjoy! Adorable, right!?

(slightly adapted from She Knows)

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{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }

hannah April 24, 2013 at 12:36 pm

I’m definitely gonna make this cake!!! I was just wondering if its possible to substitute the pink heart with a cheese recipe…

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Amy April 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Hm. I honestly have no idea. But my guess is that cheese would not work, because it will melt and not hold its shape.

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Katherine April 2, 2013 at 7:23 am

I made this for Easter with a bunny rabbit cookie cutter. It came out perfectly and absolutely adorable!!! Thank you!!

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Kysha April 2, 2013 at 3:42 am

what flavour betty crocker cake mix?:S

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Amy April 2, 2013 at 7:19 am

It’s their POUND cake mix. There is no “flavor”

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tinkushaji March 13, 2013 at 8:03 pm

What a great idea.. u did a fabulous job..

Reply

Adele February 26, 2013 at 1:15 pm

Hi, Just wondering what you do with the remains from the cut outs of the hearts? of course you can eat it, but they are not in any presentable condition.

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Amy February 26, 2013 at 1:20 pm

Maybe you could make a trifle with them…layer the scraps with whipped cream and fresh fruit. I just put them in a Ziploc bag and refrigerated them for a few days…let my kids nibble on a couple pieces for dessert each night.

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Damian February 28, 2013 at 3:40 am

Adel evidently doesn’t keep chickens.

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Trish Butler February 26, 2013 at 7:26 am

You are one crazy lady with a great husband. lol I just saw your vedio and am now going to become a member of your site. The Valentines Day Heart Bread is pure genius. Thank you for your time and talent.
From another crazy woman with a great husband.

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Mallory February 19, 2013 at 9:16 pm

Hi! I love this idea and have seen it done with other shapes! I want to try it, but am curious with the double bake if the hearts (or whatever shape) gets dried out? Thanks in advance for answering!! :)

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Amy February 20, 2013 at 7:02 am

Nope. It comes out great. Just make sure to read the directions carefully and don’t deviate from them or the ingredients listed.

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Stacey February 17, 2013 at 3:54 am

Made this cake for Valentines Day, Everyone loved it and amazed how I did it. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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Kathy S February 14, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Made this for my class today. So cute and homerun with the kids. I believe I was declared the most awesome teacher ever…and for that, I thank you!

Reply

lena February 14, 2013 at 7:47 pm

this was so cute and came out perfectly….everyone loved it and asked for the recipe…thank you so much!

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