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Copycat Little Debbie Valentine Cakes

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These Copycat Little Debbie Valentine Cakes are a homemade version of the nostalgic treat! Soft vanilla cake layers are filled with sweet cream, shaped into hearts, and coated in a smooth white chocolate shell, making them perfect for Valentine’s Day or a fun baking project.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • Red gel food coloring

For the Cream Filling:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream

For the Coating:

  • 12 oz white chocolate or white candy melts
  • 2 oz pink or red candy melts (for decoration)


Instructions

1. Bake the Cake:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Add a few drops of red gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant pink hue.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

2. Make the Cream Filling:

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth.
  2. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream, beating until light and fluffy.

3. Assemble the Cakes:

  1. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes from the cooled cake. You should get about 12 hearts.
  2. Spread or pipe cream filling onto half of the hearts. Place another heart on top to create a sandwich. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm up.

4. Coat the Cakes:

  1. Melt the white chocolate or white candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
  2. Dip each heart cake into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
  3. Melt the pink or red candy melts and drizzle over the coated cakes for decoration.

5. Let Set and Serve:

  • Allow the chocolate coating to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.

Notes

  • Store the cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • For a classic look, use a small piping bag to make delicate red drizzle designs on the cakes.
  • To save time, use store-bought cake mix and frosting.