I’ve been eager to make conversation heart cakes for months, and when Valentine’s Day finally arrived I couldn’t wait to try them. These cakes are surprisingly simple—the letters are cut from Cherry-flavored Airheads. If you can use a cake pan and a small cookie cutter, you can make these. I prefer giant conversation hearts to the tiny candy originals: they look adorable and they actually taste like cake. Below is a straightforward tutorial so you can make your own.
Supplies You’ll Need
– Cherry-flavored Airheads
– Mini alphabet cookie cutters (small cutters designed for fondant or small cookies work best)
– Rolling pin
– Heart-shaped cake pans (I used a 6″ heart pan; you can find pans at craft stores, specialty baking shops, or online). Prepare and bake your favorite cake batter and cool before decorating.
How to Make Conversation Heart Cakes
1. Soften the Airheads: Microwave each Airhead for a few seconds to make it slightly pliable—eight seconds worked well for me, but microwave power varies. You only want the candy just softened, not melted.
2. Roll and cut letters: If needed, roll the softened Airhead flat with a rolling pin. Press the mini alphabet cookie cutters firmly into the candy to cut out letters. If a letter sticks, gently use the flat end of a bamboo skewer to ease it out of the cutter.
3. Reuse scraps: Reheat any remaining scraps briefly and roll them out again to cut more letters. This is efficient and minimizes waste.
4. Decorate the cakes: Frost your cooled heart cakes with pastel buttercream or your preferred frosting. To add messages, gently press the Airhead letters onto the frosting—no adhesive needed if the icing is slightly tacky. Arrange words and phrases across the cake as you like.
All photos by Studio DIY
I always chuckle at some of the phrases on traditional conversation candies—some are unintentionally funny. With these cake toppers you can choose exactly what to spell, so you can make sweet, silly, or romantic messages tailored to the recipient.
If you love conversation hearts, try other themed projects that use the same idea of candy lettering. These cakes are an easy way to make a memorable Valentine’s treat you can give to friends, family, or that special someone.
For more Valentine’s Day DIY ideas, browse seasonal craft collections for inspiration and variations like conversation heart balloons or gift-shaped cakes decorated with candy bows.