This romantic, strawberry heart cake is a perfect Valentine’s Day cake or a special birthday celebration cake. It doesn’t have to be heart-shaped, but it is delicious. Valentine’s Day is a feast day of St. Valentine, an early Christian martyr. It is observed on February 14 each year. This day of romance is a big deal all around the world. The day is associated with romantic love and many people celebrate it by giving cards, candy, and flowers. In fact, it has become a popular day for couples young and old to celebrate their romantic feelings for one another. Hence the popularity of heart-shaped treats such as this heart cake.
Valentine’s Day Cake
Cookie base
Pan – Line the base of an 8-inch heart-shaped pan with parchment paper and the sides with parchment paper or dessert sleeves.Pro tip – I used a 7-inch heart ring for height but you can also use the round or square pan for this dessert.
Process – In a bowl of a food processor, process the cookies until you have bread consistency. In a small bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press – Pour the crumbs into the base of the prepared baking pan. Then, press down with the bottom of a tall glass or measuring cup. Press firmly and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
White layer
Combine – In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and heavy cream until you have very soft peaks.Pro tip – The mixture has to be pouring consistency so it flows into the pan and sets without air pockets. Gelatin – In a small microwave-safe bowl, soak the gelatin in water. Heat at 50% power until completely dissolved. Next, add 2 tbsp of the cream mixture to the gelatin to temper it. Then, return it back to the bowl and combine well but do not over mix.Pro tip – Overmixing will create gelatin threads. Chill – Pour the white mixture over the chilled cookie crust. Tap to help it settle down. Then, transfer to the freeze for 10 minutes or into the fridge for 30 minutes.
Strawberry layer
Combine – In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and heavy cream until you have soft peaks. Add the strawberry puree and combine well.Pro tip – The mixture has to be pouring consistency so it flows into the pan and sets without air pockets. Gelatin – In a small microwave-safe bowl, soak the gelatin in water. Heat at 50% power until completely dissolved. Next, add 2 tbsp of the strawberry cream mixture to the gelatin to temper it. Then, return it back to the bowl and combine well but do not over mix.Pro tip – Overmixing will create gelatin threads. Chill – Pour the pink mixture over the chilled white layer. Tap to help it settle down. Then, transfer to the freeze for 10 minutes or into the fridge for 30 minutes.
Strawberry jello layer
Dissolve – In a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine, the strawberry puree and gelatin. Next, add the water and sugar. Heat until the sugar and gelatin are dissolved. Then, cool to barely warm. Top – Pour the mixture over the chilled pink layer over the back of a spoon. Transfer to the fridge to chill for 3 hours up to overnight.
Creative variations
Chocolate Lover’s Delight: Replace the cookie crust with a chocolate cookie crust. Add cocoa powder to the white cheesecake mousse for a chocolate twist. Top with a rich chocolate ganache instead of strawberry jelly. Fruit Medley: Use a mix of berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) in the strawberry cheesecake mousse layer for a berry explosion. Top with a mixed berry compote or a layer of fresh fruit slices. Tropical Paradise: Replace the strawberry puree in the strawberry cheesecake mousse with mango or passion fruit puree for a tropical flavor. Top with a coconut cream or toasted coconut flakes. Lemon-Blueberry Bliss: Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the white cheesecake mousse for a zesty kick. Incorporate fresh blueberries into the lemon-infused white cheesecake mousse layer. Top with a lemon curd or blueberry sauce. Matcha Green Tea: Add matcha green tea powder to the white cheesecake mousse for a unique and vibrant flavor. Top with a matcha-flavored jelly or a dusting of matcha powder. Oreo Cookie Crunch: Substitute crushed Oreos for the cookie crust. Create a cookies and cream cheesecake mousse layer by adding crushed Oreos into the white cheesecake mousse. Top with crushed Oreos or chocolate chips. Red Velvet Dream: Make a red velvet cookie crust by adding cocoa powder and red food coloring. Create a red velvet cheesecake mousse layer with cream cheese and a hint of cocoa. Top with cream cheese frosting or a white chocolate ganache. Nutty Delight: Mix finely chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts) into the cookie crust for added texture and flavor. Incorporate nut butter (e.g., peanut butter, almond butter) into the white cheesecake mousse. Top with a drizzle of warm nut butter or chopped roasted nuts. Seasonal Flavors: Customize the flavors based on the season. For example, pumpkin cheesecake mousse with spiced cookie crust for fall, or a fresh citrus twist for summer. Mini Cheesecake Cups: Instead of a large cake, create individual mini cheesecake cups using a muffin tin or silicone molds. Layer the crust, mousse, and topping in each cup.
Creative ways to serve mousse
Serving your heart-shaped strawberry mousse cake creatively can enhance the presentation and make it even more enjoyable for your guests. Here are some creative serving ideas:
Individual Heart-Shaped Portions: Instead of serving slices, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create individual portions from the whole cake. Place each heart on a plate, and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and a drizzle of chocolate or strawberry sauce. Edible Flowers: Decorate each plate with edible flowers like pansies, violets, or rose petals for a romantic and visually stunning touch. Chocolate Decorations: Create chocolate decorations, such as chocolate curls, shavings, or molded chocolate hearts, and arrange them on top of each slice. Mini Dessert Shooters: Serve the strawberry mousse in small dessert shooter glasses. Layer the white and strawberry mousse with cookie crumbs and top with a small strawberry slice for a beautiful and portion-controlled presentation. Candied Citrus Peel: Garnish with candied lemon or orange peel for a burst of citrus flavor and a lovely visual element. Sorbet Pairing: Serve a small scoop of fruit sorbet, such as strawberry or raspberry, alongside each slice of cake for a refreshing contrast in flavors and temperatures. Chocolate Ganache Drizzle: Drizzle a rich chocolate ganache over each slice for an elegant and indulgent touch. Mint Leaves: Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and a hint of refreshing flavor. Fruit Coulis: Create a fruit coulis (a thick fruit sauce) from strawberries or another fruit of your choice and drizzle it artistically on the plate before placing the cake slice on top. Ice Cream Sandwiches: Make mini ice cream sandwiches by placing a slice of the strawberry mousse cake between two small rounds of vanilla or strawberry ice cream. Dessert Skewers: Thread small cubes of the cake onto skewers alternating with fresh strawberry slices and marshmallows, then drizzle with melted chocolate. Chocolate Fondue Dip: Serve the cake alongside a pot of warm chocolate fondue and encourage guests to dip their cake pieces into the melted chocolate. Top with Crushed Pistachios: Sprinkle crushed pistachios on top of each slice for a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
Frequently asked questions
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