Hidden Heart Pound Cake- JJ's

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 A whimsical treat, easy to bake!

 

How cute is this? I just start smiling as I am cutting through, giddy about how every time it turns out perfect ! This cake is solid and moist, heart is as plain as day and the color not compromised.

 

The trick to this recipe is to make two separate pound cakes.  Then use a cute cookie cutter to cut out the hearts, then place the cooked pound cake hearts in on top of half the other batter add the remainder of the batter on top. There is some waiting involved in this cake, however the actual active time on your feet is minimal. Most the time is baking and cooling.

 

This Valentines day give your loved ones a delicious surprise that you made yourself. They will be in awe of your talent and be asking "how did you do that"!

 

You will need a heart shape cutter and a loaf pan.

Hidden Heart Pound Cake 

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

3 cups granulated sugar

5 large room temperature eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 5 oz can evaporated milk

2/3 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. almond extract

pink or red food coloring

Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees

Grease and flour the loaf pan. Set aside

Beat the butter at medium speed of a mixer for 6 minutes, until really light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and beat for an additional minute. Add eggs, one at a time just until the yolk disappears.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Combine evaporated milk and heavy cream. Add flour mixture alternating with the milk mixture. Beat slowly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract.

Divide the mixture into two bowls evenly.

Add the desired food coloring to one of the bowls and mix until evenly distributed. If too light add more. I went for a bright pink. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 60-75 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean. (See notes below) Cool in pan on wire rack for 30 minutes, remove from pan and cool on wire rack until completely cool.

Slice the cake into 1 inch slices using a serrated knife, and lay out on cutting board or mat to cut into heart shapes. Using a heart shape cutter, cut out the hearts....be careful handling, as to not have them fall apart.

You will have a lot of left over scraps, don't let them go to waste...what you don't pop into your open mouth with your cup of tea, make cake pops! 

Now....for the best result, you will want to use the same loaf pan for the second cake. Be sure the pan is clean and that you have prepared it with grease and flour.

Pour about 1/3 of the uncolored/off white/yellow batter into the prepared pan. Stack the hearts you have cut out. Lay them on top of the batter as illustrated.

Pour the remaining batter on top of the hearts, Make sure they are completely covered in batter. Smooth the top with a rubber spatula and bake for 60-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake, comes out clean. 

Once the Hidden Heart Cake is completely baked, place on a wire rack and let it cool for 30 minutes. Remove from loaf pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

When you slice SURPRISE! This pound cake can be served with or without a glaze, sliced strawberries or whipped cream. I found it perfect in the morning with my tea!

** I found my pound cake took a little longer, every oven is different and altitude makes a difference too. Just check at 60 minutes and adjust.

This pound cake recipe is good no matter if you have a hidden heart or just want a very moist yummy pound cake with your coffee or tea. I found this to be my favorite recipe!

Also, for Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's or even Christmas morning, you could use any other shape to use this technique!

We are in our paradise cottage in Ocho Rios enjoying a relaxing holiday for three weeks. Our annual holiday over Valentines day is just what we need for rest and relaxation!