Description
This Halloween Layer Cake features alternating layers of rich Devil’s Food and vanilla cake, topped with a vibrant pumpkin-spiced buttercream frosting and a smooth chocolate ganache drip. Decorated with spooky Halloween-themed candies like Ghost Peeps, Milano cookies, Oreos, candy corn, pumpkins, sprinkles, and candy eyeballs, this festive dessert is perfect for celebrating the spooky season with a deliciously eye-catching treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- Cooking spray, for pans
- 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
- 1 box vanilla cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
For the Frosting
- 2 cups (4 sticks) butter, softened
- 7 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp pumpkin spice
- Orange food coloring
For the Ganache and Assembly
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Ghost Peeps
- Milano cookies
- Oreos, crushed
- Candy corn
- Candy pumpkins
- Sprinkles
- Candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F and spray four 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Prepare for the cake batter.
- Make Cake Batter: In two large bowls, use a hand mixer to prepare both the Devil’s Food and vanilla cake batters according to the instructions on the boxes.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batters evenly among the prepared pans, with two pans for chocolate and two for vanilla. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer cakes to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with half of the powdered sugar until smooth. Gradually add milk, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice, and the remaining powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in orange food coloring until the frosting has a bright, jack-o-lantern orange hue.
- Make the Ganache: Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until it just begins to bubble. Place the chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl, then pour the hot cream over them. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth and glossy.
- Level Cake Layers: Using a large serrated knife, level each cake layer to ensure even stacking. Place a dab of frosting on your cake plate or serving platter to secure the first vanilla cake layer.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread 1 cup of frosting evenly over the first vanilla layer. Add the first chocolate cake layer on top and frost with another cup. Repeat the layering with the remaining vanilla and chocolate cakes. Cover the entire outside of the cake with the remaining frosting.
- Add Ganache Drip: Drip the ganache down the sides of the cake using a spoon or spatula, then pour the remaining ganache on top of the cake and smooth it out evenly with an offset spatula.
- Decorate the Cake: Create a spooky graveyard scene by inserting Ghost Peeps on skewers to stand upright on the cake. Break Milano cookies in half and place them like gravestones, surrounded by crushed Oreos (to resemble dirt), candy corn, candy pumpkins, sprinkles, and candy eyeballs for a festive Halloween look.
Notes
- Be sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use an offset spatula for smooth frosting and ganache application.
- Adjust the amount of orange food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- Skewers help Ghost Peeps stand upright for decoration but be cautious when serving.
- Milano cookies and Oreos add both visual and textural contrast to the cake.
