Healthy Vintage Heart Cake – A Guilt-Free & Delicious Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- 8-inch heart-shaped cake pans (two)
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Spatula for frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blend
- ½ cup natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup unsalted butter or coconut oil for dairy-free
- 3 large eggs or flaxseed meal for vegan alternative
- 1 cup almond milk or any plant-based milk
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
- 2 tbsp honey or agave syrup
- Natural food coloring beet juice for pink
Optional Add-ins:
- Fresh berries for decoration
- Chopped nuts for added crunch
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your heart-shaped cake pans or line them with parchment paper. Tip: Ensure your oven is properly preheated for even baking!
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sweetener: In another bowl, beat the butter and sweetener until fluffy. Tip: For a smoother texture, ensure your butter is at room temperature.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with almond milk until smooth. Tip: Mix until just combined; overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool Down: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
- Prepare the Frosting: Mix Greek yogurt with honey until smooth. Add natural food coloring as desired. Tip: For a richer color, let the frosting sit for a few minutes after adding the food coloring.
- Assemble the Cake: Once cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, then add the second layer and frost the top and sides.
- Decorate: Top with fresh berries or chopped nuts for an extra touch of elegance. Tip: Get creative with your decorations—edible flowers, chocolate shavings, or a dusting of cocoa powder can elevate the cake's aesthetic.