These adorable heart-shaped chocolate cakes are the perfect treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day! A delightful cross between a chocolate torte and a molten lava cake, but in mini form—I know you’ll adore them!
This recipe is part of the Good Cookie Food Bloggers Valentine’s Event, and I want to thank Dixie Crystals and OXO for providing products to help me create these beauties. While I received these products, all opinions are my own. Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you make purchases through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
At first glance, these cakes might look like heart-shaped brownies, but they’re so much more! Adapted from Ina Garten’s *Modern Comfort Food* cookbook, I tweaked her bittersweet chocolate cake recipe to fit a heart-shaped silicone baking pan—and the results are incredible.
These mini heart-shaped cakes are rich, fudgy, and perfectly balanced thanks to a touch of instant espresso powder, which enhances the chocolate flavor without making the dessert overly sweet. Translation: You won’t feel guilty eating more than one!
This is the fifth year I’ve participated in the Valentine’s Day event, and I’m thrilled to be part of something that makes a difference. Did you know cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the U.S.? Currently, 40,000 children are actively battling cancer, yet less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget is dedicated to pediatric cancer research. That’s why raising awareness and funds is so crucial, especially as children continue to face diagnoses despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Your generosity helps us reach our fundraising goals, unlock matching donations, and make an even bigger impact in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Now, let’s talk about making these heart-shaped chocolate cakes! They’re incredibly easy to whip up with just seven ingredients (the last two are optional), and the process is simple. Here’s how:
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### **How to Make Mini Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cakes**
#### **What You’ll Need:**
– Heart-shaped silicone baking pan (I used this one—it’s so easy to use!)
– 7 ingredients (see below)
– OXO baking sheet and baking mat
#### **Instructions:**
1. Preheat your oven and spray your silicone baking pan with baking spray. Place the pan on an OXO baking sheet lined with a baking mat or foil.
2. Set a large heatproof glass bowl over a simmering pot of water. Add butter and chocolate to the bowl, stirring until melted. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk sugar into the melted chocolate mixture until smooth.
4. Add espresso powder and salt, whisking until fully incorporated.
5. Fold in the flour using a rubber spatula.
6. Scoop the batter evenly into the heart-shaped molds (a cookie scoop works great for this!).
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for 3–5 minutes.
8. Carefully flip the pan over to release the cakes. They should pop out effortlessly!
9. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and sprinkles—or enjoy them on their own.
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These little cakes are a hit with my family! My husband called them “little brownies,” but I insist they’re more like fudgy chocolate cakes. Feel free to eat them with your hands or pair them with a scoop of ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Once the cakes have cooled, store them in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
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### **About the Recipe**
This recipe is adapted from Ina Garten’s *Modern Comfort Food* cookbook. A huge thank-you to OXO and Dixie Crystals for sponsoring this event and for their matching donations!
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### **Join the Valentine’s Day Event**
Be sure to check out the other bloggers participating in this year’s Valentine’s Day event for more delicious recipes. Let’s work together to raise awareness and support pediatric cancer research.
Enjoy these heart-shaped chocolate cakes, and don’t forget to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you—not just on Valentine’s Day, but every day! ❤️
