1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
11/3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extractInstructions
Combine first six ingredients in mixing bowl. Add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla.
Pour into a greased and floured 8-inch square baking dish. Bake at 350º for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely.
Transfer cake to work surface. Using a 3- to 31/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, gently cut into four cakes (save cake trimmings for another use, such as in a trifle). Combine frosting ingredients and stir until mixture is of spreading consistency. Place one heart on a serving plate and spread with some frosting. Top with second cake; frost top and sides. Repeat with remaining cakes and frosting. Decorate with white and red decorator icing and red hots candies.