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Surprise Heart Holiday Loaf Cake – Festive Pound Cake with Hidden Red Heart Center and Green Icing

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Surprise Heart Holiday Loaf Cake is a delightful and festive pound cake with a hidden red heart shape baked into the center of each slice. Topped with green icing and holiday sprinkles, this show-stopping dessert adds a sweet surprise to your Christmas table.

Ingredients

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  • 1 box red velvet cake mix (plus required ingredients: eggs, oil, water)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • Green food coloring
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2–3 tbsp milk (for icing)
  • Holiday sprinkles (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare red velvet cake mix according to package directions. Pour into a 9×13-inch pan and bake until done (about 20–25 minutes). Let cool completely.
  3. Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts from the red velvet cake. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla extract.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Add green food coloring until desired color is achieved.
  6. Pour a thin layer of green batter into the bottom of a greased and lined loaf pan.
  7. Stand red velvet hearts upright in a row down the center of the pan.
  8. Gently pour remaining green batter around and over the hearts, covering completely.
  9. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the green cake (not the heart center) comes out clean. Let cool completely.
  10. For icing, mix powdered sugar with milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled loaf and decorate with holiday sprinkles.

Notes

  • Make sure red velvet hearts are well-cooled before cutting and inserting.
  • Don’t overfill the loaf pan—leave space for the cake to rise.
  • Store covered at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastyera.com/surprise-heart-holiday-loaf-cake-festive-pound-cake-with-hidden-red-heart-center-and-green-icing/