If you’re wondering how to make a heart shaped cake without a special pan, you’re in the right place.
Using a simple chocolate cake mix, frosting, strawberries, and two basic cake pans, you can create a beautiful heart shaped cake that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
This recipe was first published in 2018 and has been refreshed with new photos, updated tips, and improved instructions.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 15 min | Cook/Bake: 25 min | Decorating Time: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 16
Main Ingredients: chocolate cake mix, canned chocolate frosting, fresh strawberries
Best For: Valentine’s Day, family celebrations, special occasions like bridal showers, engagement parties
Make Ahead: Bake the cake a day ahead and assemble before serving
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
I also love making easy heart-shaped desserts, and a few of my family’s favorites are Heart Shaped Oreo Truffles and Heart Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- How to Make a Heart Shaped Cake
- Heart Shaped Cake Pans
- Main Ingredients Needed:
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Directions
- How to Decorate a Heart Shaped Cake
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storage and Serving Tips:
- Try these recipes next...
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
How to Make a Heart Shaped Cake
There are a few easy ways to make a heart shaped cake without a special pan:
- Using one square pan and one round pan
- Using two round pans and a simple cutting method
- Using a heart shaped cake pan.
- Using a heart shaped cake template made from parchment paper
How to Make a Heart Cake with a Square and Round Pan
- One of the easiest ways to make a heart shaped cake is by using one square cake pan and one round cake pan. After baking and cooling both cakes, cut the round cake in half.
- Place each half along two sides of the square cake to form the curved top of the heart, with the point of the square creating the bottom of the heart shape.
- This method is reliable and works well for beginners and is how I created this recipe.
How to Make a Heart Shaped Cake from a Square Pan
- If you only have a square pan, you can still create a heart shape by cutting rounded edges from two sides of the square cake and shaping the bottom into a point.
- This takes a little more trimming but gives you a similar heart look without needing an extra pan.
How to Cut a Heart Shaped Cake
- Cutting a heart shaped cake is easier when the cake is completely cooled.
- Use a sharp knife and slow, steady cuts. If you are using the square and round pan method, make sure the round cake is cut evenly in half so both sides match. This helps the heart shape look balanced when the pieces are placed together.
Heart Shaped Cake Template
- A heart shaped cake template is a helpful option if you want more control over the shape.
- Fold a piece of parchment paper in half and cut out a heart shape.
- Place the template on top of the baked and cooled cake, then carefully cut around it to create the heart.
- This method works well with round or square cakes and is great for customizing the size of the heart.
Heart Shaped Cake Pans
If you prefer to use a heart shaped cake pan instead of cutting and shaping the cake, there are several great options available. These pans make it easy to create a heart shaped cake for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and special occasions.
Wilton Decorator Preferred Heart Shaped Aluminum Cake Pan, 10-Inch
Mini Heart Muffin Pan, 12-Cup2 pcs Aluminum Heart Shaped Cake Pan SetRhoxshy Heart Shaped Cake Pans - Silicone Molds 3pcs Heart Baking Pan 5" 8" 10" Heart Cake Mold Non-Stick Cake Pan Set for Cheese Cake and Brownie Cake
Main Ingredients Needed:
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Substitutions and Variations
Cake Flavor Options: Use any flavor cake mix you enjoy, such as vanilla, strawberry, red velvet, or funfetti. A homemade cake recipe works just as well if you prefer baking from scratch.
Frosting Options: Swap the chocolate frosting for vanilla, strawberry, cream cheese, buttercream, or try my recipe homemade chocolate ganache or homemade peanut butter frosting.
Decorate: Instead of fruit, try adding heart-shaped sprinkles, pink or red sanding sugar, candy hearts, or conversation hearts. You can also decorate with chocolate shavings, chocolate curls, mini chocolate chips for a festive look.
Step-by-Step Directions
This section includes step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step 1: Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the back of the box. Divide the cake mix batter between one 8-inch square pan and one 8-inch round pan.
Step 2: Bake according to the directions on the cake mix box. Let the cakes cool slightly before removing them from the pans.
Step 3: Place the square cake diagonally on your serving tray so it looks like a diamond. Cut the round cake in half and place each half against the top sides of the square cake to form the heart shape.
How to Decorate a Heart Shaped Cake
Step 4: Place the cake on the serving platter before frosting. You can see how when cut and fitted together it resembles a heart!
Step 5: Add frosting between each piece and gently press together to hold the heart shape, then frost the top and sides and decorate as desired.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use the same size round and square pans so the pieces line up evenly when forming the heart.
❌ DO NOT try to assemble the cake while it is still warm, as the pieces can shift and lose the heart shape.
Storage and Serving Tips:
Refrigerate: Store the decorated cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap unfrosted cake pieces tightly and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw before assembling and decorating.
Serving Tips: Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before slicing for easier cutting and best texture.
Try these recipes next...
- Check out my other recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars in the shape of hearts or my Heart Shaped Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
- Or you might enjoy this recipe for Hidden Hearts Cupcakes!
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
❤️Tap the heart icon in the lower right corner to add the recipe to your recipe box for easy access anytime.
If you made it, leaving a star rating or quick review is always appreciated and helps other readers too.
Want to save this printed recipe? The Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder helps you keep recipes organized in one easy place.
📖 Recipe Card
Heart Shaped Cake for Valentine's Day
Ingredients
- 1 - 15.25 ounce size chocolate boxed cake mix
- 1-¼ cups water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 - 16 ounce size can of chocolate frosting
Method
- Follow the directions listed on the back of the cake mix to prepare the cake.
- Divide the batter between the two cake pans that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake according to the directions on the back of the cake mix box.
- Once the cake has cooled, remove both cakes from their pans and place on top of a cutting board.
- Slice the round cake into two semi-round pieces.
- Place the square cake on a diagonal so it now looks like a diamond shape on the platter you plan to serve the cake on.
- Position both the semi-round pieces on either side of the square/diamond shaped cake.
- Spread a little of the canned frosting on the insides of the cake pieces then press these pieces together to form the heart shape.
- Finish spreading the remainder of the frosting over the entire cake.
- Decorate with fresh strawberries, candy sprinkles or however you want!
Nutrition
Notes
Tips
- Use the same size round and square pans so the cake pieces line up evenly when forming the heart.
- Let the cakes cool completely before cutting to keep the edges neat and prevent crumbling.
- A thin layer of frosting between the pieces helps hold the heart shape together while decorating.
Storage & Make Ahead
- The cake can be baked a day ahead and assembled before serving.
- Store the decorated cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Unfrosted cake layers can be wrapped tightly and frozen for later use.
Linda Primmer says
Perfect for Valentine's Day. I am happy to feature your heart shaped cake at love Your Creativity .
Lois says
Thank you so much!
Bondita says
Wow, this looks delicious. Can I try the same for cupcakes?
Lois says
I don't see why you couldn't! Thanks for visiting.
Sonia Goyal says
This is a great idea. Will Definitely try this.
shivangi says
Great idea thanks for sharing ..
Angie Church says
love this idea, I to shared a post on how to make a heart cake without a heat shape pan
Mary K.- The Boondocks Blog says
This is such a great idea Lois. My daughter is always baking so this would be a perfect tip for her. Going to share it right now.
Made In a Day says
Simple and sweet I love it! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim