Halloween Layer Cake
A whimsical layered cake featuring rich Devil's Food chocolate and fluffy vanilla cake, adorned with vibrant orange frosting and festive decorations, perfect for Halloween celebrations.
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 box Devil's Food cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box Use according to package directions.
- 1 box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box Use according to package directions.
- 2 cups butter, softened Must be softened to room temperature.
- 7 cups powdered sugar, divided For frosting and decoration.
- 1/2 cup whole milk For the buttercream frosting.
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract To enhance flavor.
- 2 tsp pumpkin spice For added warmth and nostalgia.
- 1 bottle orange food coloring For coloring the frosting.
For the ganache
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips Rich and melty.
- 3/4 cup heavy cream To create a luscious ganache.
For decoration
- Ghost Peeps Ghost Peeps For a spooky touch.
- 1 cup Milano cookies, crushed Use for graveyard fun.
- 1 cup Oreos, crushed Adds a crunchy texture.
- 1 cup candy corn For a pop of color.
- 1 cup candy pumpkins For that festive vibe.
- Sprinkles Sprinkles To decorate the cake.
- Candy eyeballs Candy eyeballs For a fun creepy effect.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray four 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray.
- Prepare the cake batters in two bowls according to their box instructions.
Baking
- Divide the batters evenly, bake two chocolate and two vanilla layers for about 30 minutes.
- Let the cakes cool completely for around 30 minutes after baking.
Frosting and Ganache
- Beat butter with half of the powdered sugar until smooth; add milk, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice.
- Gradually add the remaining powdered sugar until fluffy, then mix in orange food coloring.
- Heat heavy cream until it bubbles and pour over semisweet chocolate chips; whisk until smooth.
Cake Assembly
- Level each layer and place the first cake layer on a platter with frosting on top.
- Layer the cakes with frosting in between and finish with frosting on the top and sides.
Decoration
- Drizzle the ganache over the cake and decorate with Peeps, crushed cookies, candy corn, and other decorations as desired.
Notes
This cake is visually stunning; enjoy it for Halloween and other fall gatherings. Substitutions can be fun and healthy!