I don't think it is baked into the batter. The ones I have seen are carved out, then colored cake crumbs, mixed with frosting, are squished into the hollowed out area. I'll see if I can find a link for you.
Here is the link to the instructions for the heart cake.
http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/01/heart-cake.html
Thant sounds a lot better. Personally, I don't like the texture of cake crumbs mixed with frosting. Too mushy for me.
SecretAgentCakeBaker-sorry you dont like cake balls or the consistency of cake used to make them. 
The wilton pan is different then my design in that I actually carve out the heart from the center so there is one heart. The wilton pan is like a tube so there are two hearts going around the whole cake. Its pretty neat actually.
Granted, my cake is a lot more work, but I think folks appreciate it in the end! 
Happy Baking!
Sad Eyes, you're right, there is a tutorial on that and I used to have it -- my computer crashed and I lost all my bookmarks 
but I'm looking to see if I have it stored someplace else. Stay tuned...
SecretAgentCakeBaker-sorry you dont like cake balls or the consistency of cake used to make them.
The wilton pan is different then my design in that I actually carve out the heart from the center so there is one heart. The wilton pan is like a tube so there are two hearts going around the whole cake. Its pretty neat actually.
Granted, my cake is a lot more work, but I think folks appreciate it in the end!
Happy Baking!
Wow! that heart cake is awesome! I can't wait to try it. I was thinking of putting melted chocolate in the carved portions before adding the cake crumbs ...like a cake ball in the center of the cake!
SecretAgentCakeBaker-sorry you dont like cake balls or the consistency of cake used to make them.
The wilton pan is different then my design in that I actually carve out the heart from the center so there is one heart. The wilton pan is like a tube so there are two hearts going around the whole cake. Its pretty neat actually.
Granted, my cake is a lot more work, but I think folks appreciate it in the end!
Happy Baking!
HELLLOOOOOO -- that's the tutorial I was thinking of!!!! DUH!!! (You know that song "if I only had a brain...") 
Well that's one of my favorite tutorials!! (Did you do one on the cake with the baby chick inside?)
SecretAgentCakeBaker-sorry you dont like cake balls or the consistency of cake used to make them.
I wished I liked cake balls. I only make them with brownies, and no binder. I like it that way, but it does get boring.
When you put the cake crumb/frosting mixture into the center of the cake, does the cake soak up some of the moisture from the mixture? Is it less like a cake ball then? I might try it if it is.
Thanks!
Your brownie version sounds delicious!
No, the cake really doesnt soak up any moisture... but you could certainly use less frosting to bind... just the bare amount to get it to stay in place!
I have done a surprise inside cake with cupcakes, not the cake ball version, and that tasted really good.
http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2010/09/pumpkin-cake.html
I hope you try it and have fun with it!
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