Halloween Layer Cake

This spook-tacular Halloween Layer Cake is sure to cast a spell on your party guests! Moist orange, yellow, and red ombre layers are topped with a creepy-cute face, complete with candy eyeballs, chocolate hair, and a ghostly entourage. Perfect for a howling good time!

Ready Time

2 hrs

Yields

10 servings

Ingredients

For the cake:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups whole milk, at room temperature
Food coloring (orange, yellow, red, blue)
For the buttercream:
2 ¼ cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ¾ cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4-6 tablespoons whole milk
For the decorations:
Candy eyeballs (10-12)
Chocolate chips (for hair)
Edible markers (black, red)
Small amount of white chocolate or candy coating (for ghosts)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch (20cm) round cake pans, then set them aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat in vanilla extract. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Beat just until combined.

Divide the batter evenly among three bowls. Add a few drops of orange, yellow, and red food coloring to each bowl to create a gradient effect, mixing well.

Add a few drops of blue food coloring to one of the bowls to create a darker shade.

Pour each colored batter into a prepared pan, creating an ombre effect. Tap the pans gently to remove air bubbles.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool in the pans for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. To make the buttercream, beat the butter in a large mixing bowl until creamy.

Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.

Beat in vanilla extract. Add milk as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency.

To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand.

Spread a layer of buttercream on top. Repeat with the remaining two layers.

To make the ghosts, melt a small amount of white chocolate or candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl in 10-second increments, stirring between each heating, until smooth.

Use a spoon or piping bag to create ghost shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let set before using.

To decorate the cake, use buttercream to attach candy eyeballs to the top of the cake, creating a spooky face.

Melt a few chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 10-second increments, stirring between each heating, until smooth. Use a spoon or piping bag to create hair around the eyes.

Use edible markers to draw on spooky features like eyebrows, mouths, and pupils.

Arrange the ghosts on top of the cake, around the face.

Notes

For a more vibrant ombre effect, make sure to use a generous amount of food coloring in each bowl, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades and combinations.

To ensure smooth and even layers, tap the pans gently to remove air bubbles before baking, and avoid overmixing the batter.

For a stronger color gradient, try adding a tiny bit of blue food coloring to the darkest shade to create a deeper, richer tone.

When making the buttercream, add the milk gradually, as you may not need all of it, depending on the humidity and temperature of your workspace.

To achieve a more stable and even cake, make sure the cakes are completely cool before assembling the cake, and refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.

For a more realistic ghost effect, use a toothpick or a small knife to create a swirling pattern on the white chocolate or candy coating before it sets.

This will give your ghosts a spooky, ethereal quality.

Remember to have fun and be creative with your spooky decorations! You can always adjust the design and features to fit your personal style and preferences.