Description
Create a spooktacular Halloween cake that’s moist, colorful, and full of festive flavor. This easy recipe features fluffy cake layers, creamy frosting, and fun decorations perfect for your Halloween party.
Ingredients
- For the Cake Batter: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter (softened), 3 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (optional), Orange or black food coloring (gel preferred)
- For the Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese (softened), ½ cup unsalted butter (softened), 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, Black, orange, and purple food coloring
- For Decoration: Halloween sprinkles, Candy eyes, Mini chocolate chips, Edible glitter or shimmer powder, Gummy worms or candy corn
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan. Line bottoms with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.
- Color the Batter: Divide the batter into separate bowls if you want multiple colors. Add food coloring (orange, black, or purple) and stir until evenly blended for your Halloween cake.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the colored batter into prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Divide the frosting into bowls and tint with desired Halloween colors.
- Assemble and Decorate: Frost the cooled cake with a crumb coat (a thin layer to seal in crumbs), then chill for 20 minutes. Add a second layer of frosting and smooth with an offset spatula. Decorate your Halloween cake with sprinkles, candy eyes, and edible glitter. Use piping bags for spiderwebs or pumpkin designs.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for bold, vibrant colors without adding too much liquid.
- Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Add a dash of cocoa powder to black frosting for a deeper color and richer flavor.
- For perfectly flat cake layers, trim the tops before stacking.
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Consider turning this recipe into cupcakes or a monster cake for creative Halloween dessert ideas.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Decorating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g