The perfect treat for Valentines, great for afternoon tea or as a ‘just because’ sweet treat to have with a cuppa!

You will need

200g caster sugar
200g softened butter (or a plant based alternative)
4 eggs, beaten (or an egg alternative’)
200g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk (or a plant based alternative)
3 heaped tbsp cocoa powder
Chocolate chips (optional)
Chocolate to decorate

Method

1. Pre heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and line a large, deep / high edged baking tray with baking paper
2. Beat the sugar, softened butter, eggs, flour, baking powder and milk together in a large mixing bowl until your mixture has a smooth, soft batter consistency
3. Boil the kettle. Sieve the cocoa powder into a small bowl or mug. Slowly add some boiling water and mix until you get a smooth paste. Add this into your cake mixture and mix well. I also added some melted chocolate and chocolate chips too to make them extra chocolatey
4. Put the mixture into your lined baking tray and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
5. Bake for approximately 20 mins, until the cake feels springy to the touch.
6. Take the cake out of the oven and allow to completely cool
7. Take the cake out of the tray and lay it out on your work surface. Take some heart shaped cutters (I used 3 different sizes) and cut as many hearts out as you can. This is the bit where you can nibble on the cut offs or you can save them until the next day to make some cake pops.
8. Melt some of your favourite chocolate, dark, milk or white would work. Take a piping bag with a teeny nozzle or sandwich bag with a teeny bit of the corner cut off and place the melted chocolate inside. Drizzle it over your cake hearts. I had plenty of melted chocolate left over so I made some chocolate hearts on baking paper to use as decorations.

You can find more Valentines food idea’s over on The Mama Project blog.