Valentine Cakes

Name: Valentine Cakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 servings.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 3 tablespoons baking cocoa; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup water; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; FROSTING:; 1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons baking cocoa; 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; Decorating icing and confetti candies

These individual chocolate layer cakes are a sweet way to say "I love you" even when it's not Valentine's Day. Field editor Dixie Terry from Goreville, Illinois shared this recipe.

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
FROSTING:
1-1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorating icing and confetti candies

Directions

In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Coat an 8-in. square baking dish with cooking spray and dust with flour; add butter.
Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, milk, butter and vanilla until smooth; set aside. Transfer cake to a work surface. Using a 3- to 3-1/2-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter, gently cut out four heart-shaped cakes (set cake scraps aside for another use).
Place one heart on a serving plate; spread with some frosting. Top with a second cake; frost top and sides. Repeat with remaining cakes and frosting. Decorate with icing and candies.