Can you believe February is upon us already? Didn’t we just have Christmas? It may be because I am getting older, but time seems to fly way too fast………. but if February is here, then it must mean one thing……. Valentines Day. And that means…… Chocolate Layer Cakes for Valentines Sharing.
Although the romantic connotations of Valentines Day date back to the Middle Ages, modern times dictate that as with pretty much any festival or celebration, this day of love should be yet another excuse for gift and card sellers to extract our well-earned cash in the interests of commercialism. According to figures, Britons spend somewhere close to a billion pounds a year on valentines gifts and treats, which given the state of the economy, is quite phenomenal.
Whilst I can honestly say that I see it as an unnecessary rip off and one that I generally don’t buy into (at least at a retail level), the opportunity to celebrate love and affection through food is always appealing and is something which costs very little other than time and care. The added bonus of course, is that you get to share the deliciousness of your creations with your chosen mate, whilst taking extra credit for the effort (and therefore meaning) enshrined in your gastronomic treats.
Traditional heart shapes which come in all sizes – from pans and moulds to sprinkles and chocolates, make for attractive bakes. The colours of love (mostly seen to be pinks and reds) encourage vibrant, beautiful, eye-catching foodie treats. It is possibly one of the easiest events to cook for in a way that visibly marks emotional attachment.
If that doesn’t encourage your enthusiasm, think chocolate! The need to throw chocolate into the mix for Valentines is almost compulsory…….. No excuses needed……. This is the food of today’s lovers be it dark, milk or white. An expectation that can be more than easily fulfilled in our house!
There are a number of recipes on the Gluten Free Alchemist which can be used as valentines treats, either because of their shape, colour or attention to the detail of chocolate. All are gluten free and are perfect for saying ‘I love you’, whether to partners or the kids (who may equally want to feel part of the celebrated sentiment). Check out the following for inspiration :
Strawberry & White Chocolate Hearts
Pizza Hearts
Zesty Drizzled Lemon Cake
Chocolate Kiss Cake
Chocolate Truffles
Pistachio Macaroons with Rose & Crushed Raspeberry Mascarpone Cream
Baci di Dama (Ladies Kisses)
Raspberry & White Chocolate Macaron
White Chocolate & Raspberry Creme Brûlée
Perfectly Pretty Pink Pavlova with Berries & Nectarine
Mini Vegan & Gluten Free Chocolate Cakes
Raspberry-Lemon Drizzle Trifle
I now add to this list these wonderful, moist, chocolatey layer cakes which are ideal for Valentines sharing.
I confess that my layers didn’t go quite to plan! The middle layer is meant to be ‘red velvet’, but I either added too much cocoa or not enough ‘red’. Not having made red velvet anything before, I wasn’t too sure about the ingredient balance and the recipes that I looked at for guidance seemed to vary both in ingredient quantities and shade. I have a little bit of a battle with the prospect of adding vast amounts of artificial colour to home-cooked food and did try to substitute with some natural colour in the form of beetroot powder…… clearly not enough……. However the addition of the beetroot added a slightly earthy flavour to the mix which nicely balanced with the chocolate, so I would definitely leave this in if you can get hold of any (mine came from Spice Mountain, but you can also get it from Healthy Supplies or check out your local health food stores).
To get that beautiful rich colour and hue associated with all things red velvet, there is a definite need to throw caution to the wind on the dye front and also to limit the darkening properties of the cocoa….. The recipe below has been very slightly amended to allow for a deeper red sponge than I achieved.
Unfortunately, on the day I made these layer cakes, I was limited for time and didn’t get a chance to rectify the middle sponge for photo purposes, so I have had to live with the lack of intended colour variation for my bake…… Either way, the cakes taste amazing and certainly haven’t suffered any ill-effects in terms of scrumptiousness. I think they still look pretty good too!
The sponges have been layered with a slathering of cherry conserve which gives a delightful fruity tang and contrasting texture. Drizzled with smooth, rich, dark chocolate ganache for pure decadence and topped with a big fat juicy strawberry, they can be shared by lovers or scoffed by families. Perfect!
And if you are looking for more FREE FROM Valentine inspiration, we have you covered. Check out these amazing recipes from our amazing collective of bloggers affectionately known as the #FreeFromGang. Check out the hashtag #FreeFromValentine on Social Media :
Vegan Aquafaba Pavlova with Coconut Cream & Berries – Mandy at Veggielicious
Decadent Chocolate Roulade with Coconut Cream – Laura at Dairy Free Kids
Healthy Homemade Chocolate Waffles – Eva at The Healthy Tart
Best Gluten Free All Butter Shortbread – Vicki at The Free From Fairy
Creamy Vegan Tiramisu Dessert – Midge at Peachicks Bakery
Valentine Day Biscuits – Lauren at Dilan & Me
GF Tiramisu with Berries – Mel at Le Coin De Mel
Vegan Chocolate-Coconut Truffles – Jenna at A Balanced Belly and also from Nathalie at The Intolerant Gourmand
Chocolate Valentines Cakes (makes 8-10 triple layer cakes)
Ingredients
Method (For Both Cakes)
- Sponge : Pre-heat the oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas 4. Base line 2x 9 inch square baking tins (chocolate sponge) with baking paper (1x 9 inch for the red velvet).
- Weigh and mix together the flour, almonds, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, xanthan gum, salt, cocoa and beetroot powder (if using), ensuring all lumps are broken down.
- In a jug mix together the milk with the vinegar and leave to stand for 10 minutes.
- Cream together the butter and sugars with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla, followed by the eggs (one at a time) and beat until smooth.
- Add the yoghurt and beat again. If adding food colour, add at this stage and beat in. Use paste rather than liquid as it is more concentrated and will avoid the batter becoming too runny. Add colour to shade required.
- Fold in the milk-vinegar mix alternately with the flour about a third at a time until just combined (be careful not to over-mix).
- Spoon the batter into the tins and smooth the top so that the level is as even as possible.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top springs back to the touch. Remove from the oven and turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- When completely cool, chill the sponges for about 45 minutes to firm up slightly before cutting.
- Using a round cookie cutter (mine was 6½ cm diameter) carefully cut as many cake circles as you can from the sponge and set aside. Save the left overs for trifle!
- Warm the cherry conserve in a microwave (or small bowl over simmering water) and stir until smooth.
- Layer the sponges chocolate-red velvet-chocolate with cherry conserve between them.
- Ganache : Break or chop the chocolate into small pieces in a bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the cream until just coming to a simmer over a low to medium heat. Do not allow to boil.
- Pour the cream over the chocolate and leave to stand for a couple of minutes to melt, before stirring through until smooth.
- Allow the ganache to cool, but be careful to keep an eye on the consistency. You want it slightly thickened, but still fluid enough to pour and spread.
- Spoon some ganache over each cake (a little more than a tablespoon per cake), gently spreading whilst still liquid across the surface to allow a little to run down the sides.
- Decorate the top of each cake with sprinkles and leave to set.
- Whilst the ganache is still fluid, dip the strawberries to half-coat. Set aside on baking paper to allow the ganache to set.
- Place a strawberry on the top of each cake. Share and enjoy…
You are seriously talented lovely lady. These are beautiful and I bet they taste incredible. Well done xxx
Awww thanks Vicki x
These are BEAUTIFUL, and I bet it tastes even better!! Wow
Thank you x
Kate, these little cakes look absolutely delicious. I love using ground almonds in cakes. It just adds that little 'oomph' and slightly nutty taste without being overpowering. I've not come across beetroot powder before. Such a good idea to use it to create a red velvet cake layer. x
Thank you Mel. Ground almond always add a perfect moisture injection too! I really notice the difference when I add them x
I just started adding dried beets to a lot of my savory dishes. What a great idea to use beet root powder in the red velvet layer! Looks delicious. 🙂
Thanks Nicole. Beetroot is such an amazing vegetable, for its amazing colour as well as its nutrition x
Ooh these look so good!
Thank you Laura x
Wow, these look amazing, I am very much impressed. You can't go wrong with chocolate and strawberries 🙂
Thank you. I agree chocolate and strawberries are a perfect combo….. especially for Valentines x
Kate, these look amazing. You are so talented at the baking an photography – can you just come round and make me some now?!
Aww thanks Emma. I always think both my baking and photography can be a bit hit and miss. But the cake tasted great and the pics look fine, so I am happy on this one! x
I've seen these many times now and each time I marvel at how beautiful they are. I so wish I had one! Thanks for sharing them with biscuit barrel.
Aww thanks Laura! You're welcome x
oh these look gorgeous – I love beetroot powder but it doesn't quite do what red food dye does – but it does feel so much better to eat!
Absolutely! I didn't add a massive amount, but it did seem to enhance the flavour x
Wow gorgeous recipe! I host #tastytuesdays on a Tuesday if you ever fancy linking up!
Thank you! Checked out TT & I've just linked up with some pancakes!
Well despite the lack of red in your sponge, these look absolutely beautifully Kate. Your bakes always do. Personally I prefer my cakes not to have dyes in them, so I'm very happy to stick to your beetroot version.
Thanks Choclette. To be honest, the flavour well-outweighed the colour!
Total chocolate heaven Kate and beautifully presented! Thanks for entering into Treat Petite!
Thank you Kat.
These look stunning, very professional. Love the styling of them too, looks very dramatic! #recipeoftheweek
Thank you Hayley. It's amazing what you can achieve with a round biscuit cutter and a piece of red chiffon!
Well sorry but these look stunning, red v or no red v. So perfectly pornographic without being too filthy! Love them!
Thank you Dom. High praise indeed! I think valentine cakes should always aim at the teasing but not too revealing shade of pornography!!
Wow these look absolutely stunning and perfect for Valentine's Day. Beautiful presentation and gorgeous photos, I'm actually drooling!
Thank you Ros. Drooling is good!!!!
Oh wow, my husband would adore me for ever if I made this. Just stunning. Thanks so much for joining in with #FoodieFriday – You are featured in this week's roundup later x
Thank you Helen! It would be great if it was that easy!! Will check out the round up. Thanks for the feature x
Gosh! How utterly decadent and perfect for Valentine's Day. I think I would skip the main course and go straight to these!
Thanks Ness. Sounds like a good idea….. Valentines is a great excuse for decadence!
These are so pretty and they sound amazing. What a treat for Valentines!
Thank you Caroline. There is definitely something quite special about chocolate and strawberries at Valentines!
This is impressive! I really love the look of these cakes and your photography is superb. So perfect for Valentine and all that red colour and dark chocolate looks so sexy! Beautiful.
Thank you Alida.
For a true red velvet you need to use bake stable food colouring paste. But really am quite happy to do without that when the cakes look so adorable! Perfect for Valentine's Day #CookBlogShare
Thanks for the tip Lucy. I will have to hunt some down! Thank you!
They look amazing & sound delicious too. #CookBlogShare
Thank you Sarah
These little cakes look incredible. I also made a red velvet cake once but it just looked like a chocolate cake!
Thanks Corina. I'm pleased to hear it isn't just me…. I was so disappointed when I cut into the sponge and found it wasn't red!
Yum! I love your presentation of these cakes – the strawberry looks sinfully good!
Thank you CC. There is something wonderful about strawberries, especially when chocolate dipped….. beckoning you to cross that line!