Hungry Happenings

  • RECIPES
    • All Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Decorated Cookies
    • Decorated Cakes
    • Cheesecake Recipes
    • Everyday Desserts
    • Homemade Candy
    • Everyday Meals
    • Readers’ Gallery
  • HOW TO
    • Chocolate Making Tips
    • Chocolate Making Course (video lessons)
    • Make Modeling Chocolate
      • Modeling Chocolate Recipe and Tutorial
      • How to Color Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Store and Work with Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Greasy Modeling Chocolate
      • How to Fix Dry Modeling Chocolate
      • Use Colored Candy Melts to Make Candy Clay
    • Candy Clay Creations
    • How To Color White Chocolate and Candy Melts and Paint Candy Molds
    • How to Use Food Coloring Markers
  • HOLIDAYS
    • ALL HOLIDAY RECIPES
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
      • Hungry Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • MORE HOLIDAYS
      • Mother's Day
      • Father's Day
      • April Fools
      • Chinese New Year
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Day of the Dead
      • Earth Day
      • Mardi Gras
  • PARTY FOOD
    • Super Bowl
    • Graduation
    • Birthday Party
    • March Madness
    • Summer Fun
    • Baby Shower
    • Wedding Shower
    • School/Teacher
    • Movie and T.V. Characters
    • Kid's Treats
    • Fun Party Recipes
  • MY COOKBOOKS
  • ABOUT
  • MY BLOGS
    • HowToMakeCerealTreats.com
    • HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    • HowToMakeEasyFudge.com
    • TheSugarAcademy.com
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • chocolate tips
  • about
  • cookbooks
  • subscribe
  • holiday recipes
  • Halloween recipes
  • party food
  • appetizers
  • decorated cheese balls
  • cute food for kids
  • dessert recipes
  • chocolate recipes
  • homemade candy
  • decorated cakes
  • cupcake recpes
  • cheesecake recipes
  • cookie recipes
  • rice krispie treats recipes
  • fudge recipes
  • modeling chocolate treats
  • ice cream recipes
  • popcorn recipes
  • everyday meals
  • recipe roundups
  • readers' gallery
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • chocolate tips
    • about
    • cookbooks
    • subscribe
    • holiday recipes
    • Halloween recipes
    • party food
    • appetizers
    • decorated cheese balls
    • cute food for kids
    • dessert recipes
    • chocolate recipes
    • homemade candy
    • decorated cakes
    • cupcake recpes
    • cheesecake recipes
    • cookie recipes
    • rice krispie treats recipes
    • fudge recipes
    • modeling chocolate treats
    • ice cream recipes
    • popcorn recipes
    • everyday meals
    • recipe roundups
    • readers' gallery
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Valentine's Day

    Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake

    Modified: Jun 4, '25 · Published: Jan 29, '17 · By: Beth Klosterboer · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine's Day really sweet.

    Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine's Day even more sweet!

    How do you get a cheesecake filling shaped like a heart inside a cake?

    You use a Wilton Tasty-Fill Heart Pan (affiliate). It's shaped so the cake bakes with a heart shaped hole in the middle. You can fill the cake with frosting, mousse, or in this case, a no-bake strawberry cheesecake filling.

    I've had my Tasty-Fill pan sitting in a cupboard for several years now and can't believe it took me so long to finally give it a try. I've made a lot of surprise cakes with shapes hiding inside but never one quite like this. Those other surprise cakes require a double baking, where you first make a cake to cut into the shape you want to hide, then you bake a cake around that shape. The process is very time consuming but the results are spectacular.

    There is a surprise hiding inside this pretty pink cake which is frosted with strawberry cheesecake frosting and glazed with chocolate ganache.

    To make this cake you only bake once which saves a lot of time but when you cut into it the results are just as spectacular.

    When you use the Tasty-Fill pans, you end up with two cake layers that have grooves cut into the tops which you fill before stacking the two layers together. Then you simply frost and decorate.

    For this cake I chose to frost the exterior with the same strawberry cheesecake filling then to make the cake really decadent, I drizzled on some chocolate ganache.

    Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine's Day even more special.

    This cake with a surprise hiding inside, is not any more challenging to make than a traditional layer cake and you can decorate the outside however you like. The recipe makes enough filling to cover the cake, so if you don't plan to use it on the outside of the cake, cut the recipe by ⅓rd.

    Watch this video to see how you can use the pan to make this beautiful cake.

    [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="Yc5lmYyV" upload-date="2017-02-23T18:55:52.000Z" name="Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake" description="Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine’s Day really sweet." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]
    So, what do you think? Isn't this easier than baking a cake inside a cake?
    Plus, for those of you who love frosting, this cake has frosting inside and out. In this case, it's a lusciously creamy cheesecake filling that is flavored with strawberries from a can of pie filling. When I went to the store, being it's winter, the fresh strawberries looked pale pink not red. So instead of using fresh strawberries, I decided to use the pie filling. I knew the strawberries would be flavorful and the gel would add a nice sweetness.

    Be sure to strain your strawberry pie filling so that you just get the strawberries and a bit of gel to add to the cheesecake filling. I tried using it all and the frosting was too soft. You will have some filing left over. You'll use 2 tablespoons of it in the chocolate glaze, but you'll have more leftover. I'm sure you'll find a good use for it.

    Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine's Day really sweet.

    You can find items needed to make this cake on Amazon.com (commission earned for sales).

    Wilton Tasty Heart 2-Piece ...Shop on Amazon Duncan Hines Comstock Premi...Shop on AmazonDuncan Hines Perfectly Mois...Shop on AmazonDream Whip Whipped Topping ...Shop on AmazonWilton Adjustable Cake Leve...Shop on Amazon
    Cut into this pretty pink cake to reveal a strawberry cheesecake heart hiding inside a rich and decadent chocolate cake. This Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake will make Valentine's Day even more special.
    Print
    Strawberry Cheesecake Heart Surprise Cake
    Prep Time
    35 mins
    Cook Time
    25 mins
    Total Time
    1 hr
     
    A chocolate cake filled with a strawberry cheesecake heart is frosted with more of the pink cheesecake filling then glazed with chocolate ganache.
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: heart suprise cake, strawberry cheesecake
    Servings: 12
    Author: Beth Klosterboer
    Ingredients
    Cake:
    • 15.25 ounce dark chocolate cake mix
    • 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
    • 1 (1.3 ounce) packet Dream Whip Whipped Topping powder
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup milk
    • 4 eggs
    • ⅓ cup oil
    Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
    • 1 can strawberry pie filling
    • 3 - 8 ounce blocks cream cheese softened
    • 2 cups powdered sugar
    • 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
    • optional pink food coloring
    Chocolate Ganache Glaze
    • 8 ounces finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chips
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, plus one more tablespoon
    • 2 tablespoons of the strawberry pie filling gel
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Spray the Wilton Tasty-Fill Heart Pan with baking spray.
    3. Combine the cake mix, pudding, Dream Whip, sour cream, milk, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl.

    4. Beat, using an electric mixer, on low speed for 30 seconds then medium speed for 1 ½ minutes.
    5. Equally divide batter among the two cake pans.
    6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean.
    7. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 15 minutes.
    8. Then turn cakes out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
    9. Pop cakes in freezer for 30-60 minutes to firm up before filling.
    Strawberry Cheesecake Filling
    1. Pour the strawberry pie filling into a fine mesh sieve.
    2. Allow the gel to drain away from the strawberries.
    3. Place the softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.
    4. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium high speed until fluffy.
    5. Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl and beat until well combined.
    6. Add the strawberries and beat until the strawberries become small pieces.
    7. Then add the whipped topping and beat just until combined.
    8. If desired, stir in some pink food coloring to intensify the color.
    9. Pour some of the filling into a disposable pastry bag or a large zip top bag.
    10. Remove cakes from freezer, place the cake with the single groove on an 8 inch cake board.
    11. Pipe some filling into the groove in the cake then spread it into an even layer making sure you don't cover the circle of cake in the center.
    12. Fill the other cake then flip that cake upside down onto the bottom layer.
    13. Frost the exterior of the cake using the remaining strawberry cheesecake filling.
    Chocolate Ganache Glaze
    1. Combine the chocolate, ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, and strawberry pie filling in a small glass bowl.

    2. Heat on high power in the microwave for 30 seconds.
    3. Remove and stir.
    4. Heat for another 20 seconds, then let sit in microwave for 2 minutes.
    5. Remove and stir.
    6. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of cream until smooth and glossy.
    7. Pour over the cake allowing drips to form.

    If you are looking for other treats or gifts to make for Valentine's Day,
    you might like these other recipes too.

    50+ amazing Valentine's Day Recipes that you will love. Show how much you care by serving some romantic appetizers, cute treats, and decadent desserts. 

    If you want to try your hand at making other surprise cakes here are some ideas.

    Make any occasion spectacular by cutting into a cake to reveal a surprise hiding inside. People go nuts when the first slice is cut. You can propose, tell someone you love them, celebrate a birthday, and more.

    Birthday Reveal Cake • Marry Me? Reveal Cake,
    I Love You Reveal Cake • Polka Dot Reveal Semifreddo,
    St. Patrick’s Day Reveal Cake • 4th of July Reveal Cake,
    Rainbow Semifreddo •  Christmas Ornament Reveal Cake

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth Klosterboer
    Beth Klosterboer
    Hi, I'm Beth Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth Klosterboer
    Latest posts by Beth Klosterboer (see all)
    • Irresistible Sweets with Dixie Crystals® - July 13, 2024
    • How to make peanut butter? - February 15, 2024
    • OREO Penguins - December 20, 2023

    More Valentine's Day Recipes

    • Black Forest Chocolate Truffles coated in a blend of cocoa powder and confectioners' powdered sugar.
      Black Forest Chocolate Truffles
    • Christmas fudge red and white peppermint fudge pinwheels
      Peppermint Fudge Pinwheels
    • homemade cherry tootsie pop hearts arranged in a Valentine's day coffee mug
      Homemade Cherry Tootsie Pop Hearts
    • conversation heart white chocolate breakable hearts filled with Valentine's Day candy
      Breakable Chocolate Conversation Hearts

    About Beth Klosterboer

    Comments

      Please leave a comment. Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Cat says

      June 04, 2025 at 12:59 pm

      Hello hello! Such a gorgeous cake!! I'm wondering what size the chocolate pudding mix is as there's not a size listed and when I went to buy it, there's 2 different boxes to choose from. 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
      • Beth Klosterboer says

        June 04, 2025 at 1:30 pm

        Thank you so much! I'm so glad you love the look of this cake. It tastes great too! You'll need to use the smaller 3.4 ounce box of instant pudding mix. I hope you enjoy making your cake.

        Reply
        • Cat says

          June 04, 2025 at 6:18 pm

          Perfect! Thanks!! I'll be making it tmrw for a 40th wedding anniversary and I know they're going to LOVE it!!

          Reply
    2. Melissa says

      May 10, 2023 at 9:24 pm

      Instead of using the canned strawberry pie filling can I use fresh strawberries by making a strawberry compote? Then drain like recipe says?

      Reply
      • Beth says

        May 11, 2023 at 6:51 am

        I'm sure the drained strawberries could work well for the filling but you'd probably have to adjust the chocolate ganache recipe. Strawberry pie filling has a very thick gel which I used to add a hint of strawberry flavor to the chocolate ganache. If you can thicken the liquid in your compote using corn starch, that might help. Otherwise, you could add a little extra chocolate if needed so the ganache won't be too thin.

        Reply
        • Melissa says

          July 06, 2023 at 8:59 am

          Thank you, I was thinking of using corn starch to thicken the strawberry compote.
          For the whipped cream, I’m sure you added it to the recipe like you have listed but in the video it doesn’t show the whipped cream being added to the filling or the chocolate ganache?? MaybeI missed it? Was it just not recorded? Is the whipped cream really necessary?
          I was thinking of making the whipped cream myself, would that work too? (I’m thinking of just using your strawberry cheesecake frosting filling for a cake idea for my birthday, only as the frosting filling not for outside the cake.)

          Reply
          • Beth says

            July 07, 2023 at 6:31 pm

            I used Dream Whip in the cake mix. It is a white powder that can be used to make whipped topping but in the cake it is used to add a little more lift to the cake. The ganache filling is made with heavy whipping cream which is liquid. It becomes whipped cream once it is beaten, but when using it for ganache, you don't beat it.
            The strawberry cheesecake filling would be great in between layers of cake too. I hope you cake turns out great.

            Reply
            • Melissa says

              July 09, 2023 at 12:33 am

              Thank you! And thanks for taking the time to answer my crazy questions. I think I got confused but now I understand 😊👍🏼

              Reply
              • Beth says

                July 09, 2023 at 7:46 am

                You are welcome. Enjoy the cake!

                Reply
    3. Mary says

      November 12, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Hi, just wondering if this can be done a couple days in advance and still have the heart hold up ?
      Thx,
      Mary

      Reply
      • Beth says

        November 12, 2020 at 9:30 pm

        Definitely! Just be sure to store the cake in the refrigerator.

        Reply
    4. The Partiologist says

      February 02, 2017 at 8:21 am

      What a surprise to find cheesecake inside this beautiful cake!

      Reply
      • Beth says

        February 03, 2017 at 10:05 am

        Don't you just love surprises like that???

        Reply
    5. Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says

      February 01, 2017 at 10:28 pm

      Every time I have seen one of your surprise cakes, I thought, I'm gonna make that. But I never have! Now, seeing how much easier they would be to make, plus the yummy recipe you have shared, I think I really will make one this time! It's a gorgeous cake. 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth says

        February 03, 2017 at 10:06 am

        I hope you give this cake a try. It's by far the easiest surprise inside cake I've ever made. Plus adding the cheesecake filling inside makes it one of the tastiest too.

        Reply
    Beth Jackson Klosterboer

    Welcome to Hungry Happenings!

    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

    Read more about me →

    Popular

    • Mini cheesecakes collage of images with plain cheesecakes, cheesecake cups with toppings, and decorated edible flower cheesecakes.
      Mini Cheesecakes
    • homemade candy bars including dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate cashew bars, white chocolate cookies and cream candy bars, and more
      The Best Step-by-Step Chocolate Bar Recipes
    • Marry a chocolate cake ball with a chocolate dipped maraschino cherry to get these amazing Chocolate Cherry Bombs.
      Chocolate Cherry Bombs - Cherry Filled Cake Balls Dipped in Chocolate
    • Giant Reese's Cup on a cake stand with a slice cut and served on a small dessert plate.
      Giant Peanut Butter Cup
    • Cakesicles with red and green drizzle, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate drizzle
      How to make Cakesicles (cake pop popsicles)
    • Delicious chocolate truffles coated in chopped cashews, shaved dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cookie crumbs, and a blend of dark and white chocolate shavings.
      Chocolate Truffles Recipe

    Buy my cookbooks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    use policies

    • privacy policy
    • photo-use policy
    • terms of service

    join us

    • subscribe (newsletter)
    • our online courses
    • readers' gallery

    contact

    • contact
    • about Beth
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Hungry Happenings