How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake Without a Heart Pan

Quick Answer: To make a heart-shaped cake without a heart pan, bake one 8-inch square cake and one 8-inch round cake. Cut the round cake in half, rotate the square cake into a diamond shape, and place the half-rounds against the top sides. Frost to hide the seams.

Make a Heart-Shaped Cake for Valentine’s Day — No Special Pan Needed

This is a simple and fun way to make a large heart-shaped cake using pans you already own. No heart-shaped cake pan required! It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or anytime you want a festive dessert.

Use your favorite cake mix or homemade cake recipe. Recipes that yield a 9×13 cake or two 8-inch cakes work best. This Red Velvet Cake Recipe is a great option. You can also try our cake mix upgrade trick for even better results.

What You Need to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake

• One 8-inch square cake pan
• One 8-inch round cake pan
• Your favorite cake batter
• Frosting (cream cheese frosting works great)
• Knife or cake cutter

Baking Tip: Line the bottoms of both pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray or butter and flour to prevent sticking.

How to Make a Heart-Shaped Cake Without a Heart Pan

Step 1: Bake the Cakes

Bake one square cake and one round cake using the same batter so they bake evenly. Allow both cakes to cool completely before removing from the pans.

Step 2: Cut the Round Cake

Cut the round cake straight down the middle to create two equal half-circles.

Step 3: Assemble the Heart Shape

Rotate the square cake so it looks like a diamond. Place the flat edges of each half-round cake against the top two sides of the square to form a heart.

Step 4: Frost and Decorate

If needed, trim edges slightly so the pieces fit neatly together. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting first, chill briefly, then finish with a smooth final layer to hide seams.

Cake Decorating Tip: Use clear vanilla extract to keep frosting bright white.

Decorate with sprinkles, candy, fruit, or anything festive you love.

Heart-Shaped Cake FAQs

Can I make a heart-shaped cake with different pan sizes?

For best results, use matching sizes (8-inch round and square). Different sizes may require trimming.

Does this method work with any cake flavor?

Yes! Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, and funfetti all work great.

How do you keep the cake from falling apart?

Let the cake cool completely and always apply a crumb coat before the final frosting layer.

Heart-shaped cake inspired by BetterRecipes. Cream cheese frosting adapted from The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook.

More Valentine’s Day Recipes You’ll Love

• Red Velvet Cake Roll
• Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
• Cupid’s Crunch
• Lemony Love Potion
• Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

How to Make a Heart Cake with No Heart Pan

Easy instructions for how to make a heart-shaped cake without a heart pan - Perfect for Valentine's Day!

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Print Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Serves: 12

Adjust Servings: 12

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• 8-inch round cake pan
• 8-inch square cake pan

Ingredients

Cake

• 1 package Red Velvet cake mix or any cake mix (except angel food), or your favorite 9x13 cake recipe

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 12 ounces cream cheese softened
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
• 4 teaspoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract use clear vanilla if you want to keep your frosting more white
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar 7 ounces

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Preheat oven according to the cake mix package instructions.
• Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the inside-bottom of a square 8-inch pan and also for a round 8-inch cake pan. Spray the center of each pan with cooking spray and place the parchment inside the pans, to help keep the parchment in place. Then spray each pan and paper with a nonstick cooking spray with flour, like Baker's Joy. Alternately, you can butter and flour each pan.
• Prepare cake mix as directed on package instructions. Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake as directed on package. Cool 10 minutes in pans, then carefully remove from pans and let cool completely on cooling racks.
• Prepare the frosting with a food processor or mixer. Beat the cream cheese, butter, sour cream, vanilla, and salt together until well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add powdered sugar and mix until very fluffy.
• Leave the square cake whole. Cut the round cake in half, to make two half-circles. With the square cake oriented as a diamond, place the flat side of each half-circle against each of the top sides of the square cake to make a heart shape. Trim slightly, if needed. The frosting will conceal the seams and more.
• Spread a thin crumb coat layer of frosting over the entire cake (to keep cake crumbs from appearing in the final layer of frosting). Then spread a second and final layer of frosting. Decorate as desired.

Recipe Notes

See blog post for helpful photos.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 439mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g