Mini Lambeth-Style Heart Cakes
These Mini Lambeth-Style Heart Cakes are delicate, vintage-inspired showstoppers featuring intricate buttercream ruffles, classic piping details, and a soft, buttery sponge. Designed for advanced beginners, this recipe makes professional-looking cakes achievable at home using small-batch techniques and a forgiving American buttercream—perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or special family baking moments.
Equipment
- 4-inch heart-shaped cake pans
- Electric hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Serrated knife
- Offset spatula
- Piping Bags
- Piping tips (star, leaf, round, petal/ruffle)
- Toothpicks (for marking symmetry)
Ingredients
- 2 cups 250 g all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 225 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup 200 g granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup 180 ml milk
- For the Buttercream:
- 1 cup 225 g unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups 500 g powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring optional
Instructions
- Make the Batter: Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to batter alternately with milk, mixing just until combined.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly into greased heart pans. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Level: Trim cake tops with a serrated knife so layers sit flat.
- Buttercream: Beat butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla until thick yet pipeable. Tint as desired.
- Crumb Coat: Apply a thin frosting layer to each cake. Chill for 20 minutes to lock in crumbs.
- Base Layer: Apply a smooth buttercream layer over chilled cakes.
- Lambeth Piping: Pipe shell borders along edges, layer ruffles upward, and finish with swags and pearls using star and petal tips.
- Set: Allow cakes to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Warm hands? Chill your piping bag for 5 minutes if frosting softens too quickly.
- Perfect symmetry: Lightly mark guide points with toothpicks before piping.
- Clean ruffles: Wipe piping tips frequently for sharp definition.