For the Cake:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, alternating with the milk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
6. Bake the Cake:
   • Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

For the Buttercream Frosting:

7. Make the Frosting:
   • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth using an electric mixer.
   • Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue mixing until smooth and fluffy.
   • Add the vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and heavy cream to adjust the consistency of the frosting. Add more cream or milk if needed until the frosting is soft but not too runny.
   • Divide the frosting into two portions. Leave one portion white and tint the other with red food coloring to create a pink or deep red frosting.
8. Frost the Cake:
   • Once the cake layers have cooled completely, spread a thin layer of the white frosting on top of the first layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining white frosting, smoothing it out with a spatula.

For the Heart Decoration:

9. Create the Heart Shape:
   • To create a vintage heart design, you can use the strawberry jam. Gently heat the jam in a saucepan over low heat until it becomes slightly runny, then allow it to cool slightly.
   • Pour the jam in the shape of a heart on top of the frosted cake. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to create the shape.
10. Add the Pink Frosting:
    • Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe a decorative border around the edges of the cake or around the heart.
    • Optionally, pipe small hearts around the cake or use a spoon to create a swirl pattern with the pink frosting.
11. Garnish the Cake:
    • For an elegant touch, garnish the cake with sliced fresh strawberries and edible flowers. You can also add edible glitter or sprinkles for a little sparkle.
12. Serve and Enjoy:
    • Slice the Valentine Vintage Heart Cake and serve it on a beautiful cake stand. This romantic dessert is perfect for sharing with loved ones on Valentine’s Day!