This recipe is particularly special to me. My mom first made it for my dad on Valentine’s Day in high school (in a heart-shaped pan, no less), and it was his favorite cake. It is now a holiday staple for my family and remains one of my favorites as well. I will warn you, it’s not the simplest recipe in the cookbook, but if you have a friend help you it’s much easier, and believe me when I say it’s totally worth it.

**if you’re feeling extra lovey-dovey on Valentine’s Day, bake the cake in heart-shaped pans like my mom did. I did this a few years ago and it was perfect!

{photography by Katherine Crenshaw}