Halloween Layer Chocolate Vanilla Cake (Print-Friendly Version)
A festive Halloween dessert with layered chocolate and vanilla cakes, vibrant orange frosting, and playful decorations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cake Layers
01 -
Cooking spray for greasing pans
02 -
1 box Devil's Food cake mix
03 -
Ingredients required as per Devil's Food cake mix instructions (typically eggs, water, and oil)
04 -
1 box vanilla cake mix
05 -
Ingredients required as per vanilla cake mix instructions (typically eggs, water, and oil)
→ Frosting
06 -
450 grams unsalted butter, softened
07 -
875 grams powdered sugar, divided
08 -
120 millilitres whole milk
09 -
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 -
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
11 -
Orange food colouring
→ Ganache
12 -
265 grams semisweet chocolate chips
13 -
180 millilitres heavy cream
→ Decorations
14 -
Ghost Peeps
15 -
Milano cookies
16 -
Crushed Oreos
17 -
Candy corn
18 -
Candy pumpkins
19 -
Sprinkles
20 -
Candy eyeballs
# How to Make It:
01 -
Preheat the oven to 175°C. Grease four 23-centimetre cake pans with cooking spray. In separate large bowls, prepare each cake mix according to the package instructions using the specified ingredients.
02 -
Evenly divide the prepared chocolate and vanilla batters among the four pans, creating two layers of each flavour. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre exits clean. Let the cakes cool on a wire rack until completely cool.
03 -
In a large bowl, beat softened butter and half of the powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in the milk, vanilla extract, and pumpkin spice. Gradually incorporate the remaining powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Blend in orange food colouring until a vivid shade is achieved.
04 -
Gently heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until bubbles form at the edges. Place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl, pour over hot cream, and let stand for 2 minutes. Whisk until completely smooth and glossy.
05 -
Trim the tops of cake layers for even assembly. Secure the first vanilla layer onto a serving plate with a dab of frosting.
06 -
Spread 1 cup of frosting over the first layer. Place a chocolate layer on top and cover with another cup of frosting. Repeat with remaining vanilla and chocolate layers, finishing with the chocolate layer on top. Apply remaining frosting around the sides and over the top for a smooth finish.
07 -
Drip the ganache along the edge of the cake for a dramatic effect, then pour the remaining ganache over the top and spread with an offset spatula.
08 -
Arrange ghost peeps on skewers as figures emerging from the cake, place halved Milano cookies as gravestones, scatter crushed Oreos for soil, and garnish with sprinkles, candy corn, candy pumpkins, and candy eyeballs to create a festive graveyard scene.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Ensure cake layers are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting and slipping.
02 -
Use a serrated knife for clean and level cake cuts, which helps maintain structural stability during stacking.