Halloween Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

On a crisp autumn afternoon, I found myself experimenting in the kitchen, inspired by my love for quick, family-friendly meals. That’s when the idea for this Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake came to life. Combining a rich pumpkin chocolate cake with a whimsical marble swirl, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. This pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake is easy, customizable, and brings warmth to every gathering—making it a must-try bon appétit pumpkin cake.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as delicious as it is festive, this Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake is the perfect choice. With a moist pumpkin chocolate marble cake base swirled with rich chocolate, it transforms a simple chocolate pumpkin cake into a stunning centerpiece. Whether you’re making a pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake for family gatherings or trying a bon appétit pumpkin cake twist, this recipe is versatile. Inspired by NYT pumpkin cake classics and even the Pioneer Woman, you can make a vegan chocolate pumpkin cake or a traditional graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil. The ingredients are easy to source, and the marbling technique adds a professional touch without complicated steps. From cozy weeknight treats to special holiday celebrations, this Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake recipe delivers indulgent flavor, visual appeal, and a customizable approach that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re following the graveyard marble pumpkin cake ingredients list or adapting it to your favorite variations, it’s a dessert you’ll love making and sharing.

Ingredients for This Recipe

To make the perfect Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake, choosing the right ingredients is essential. This pumpkin chocolate marble cake balances the earthy sweetness of pumpkin puree with the rich depth of cocoa, creating a chocolate pumpkin cake that’s moist, flavorful, and visually stunning. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger enhance the pumpkin flavor, while butter and vegetable oil ensure the cake stays tender. The pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake can be made with eggs or vegan substitutes, and the frosting adds a creamy finish that complements the marbled layers. Whether you’re following a bon appétit pumpkin cake approach, a NYT pumpkin cake inspiration, or a Pioneer Woman-style recipe, these ingredients make it easy to achieve a professional-looking graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil or other variations. Crushed cookies or chocolate tombstones bring the Halloween theme to life, making this cake as fun to decorate as it is to eat.

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round or bundt cake):

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
½ cup whole milk
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2–3 tablespoons hot water

For the Frosting / Topping:

1 cup cream cheese, softened (or buttercream)
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed
Crushed chocolate cookies or small chocolate tombstone decorations

How to Make This Recipe

Making the perfect Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake is easier than it looks when you follow a structured approach. This pumpkin chocolate marble cake starts by combining the pumpkin puree, spices, and rich chocolate to create a chocolate pumpkin cake that’s moist and flavorful. Whether you’re aiming for a pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake, a bon appétit pumpkin cake variation, or a NYT pumpkin cake-inspired dessert, these steps guide you from mixing to baking. You can also adapt this graveyard marble pumpkin cake recipe for a vegan chocolate pumpkin cake or make it a graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil for extra moisture. Swirling the batters carefully ensures a beautiful marbled effect that brings the Halloween-themed graveyard design to life. By following the graveyard marble pumpkin cake ingredients list and technique, your dessert will be a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for family gatherings, special occasions, or cozy weeknight treats.

🛒 Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round or bundt pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

In a large bowl, beat butter, vegetable oil, and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and pumpkin puree.

Gradually mix in dry ingredients alternately with milk until smooth.

In a small bowl, combine cocoa powder with hot water to form a smooth chocolate paste.

Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the pan, then add chocolate batter in dollops, finishing with remaining pumpkin batter. Swirl gently with a knife to create a marble pattern.

Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Prepare frosting by mixing cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.

Decorate with crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate tombstone decorations for the graveyard theme.

Serve and enjoy your pumpkin chocolate marble cake, chocolate pumpkin cake, or pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake masterpiece.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the ultimate Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake requires attention to both ingredients and technique. This pumpkin chocolate marble cake shines when the pumpkin puree is well-drained and combined with the right balance of spices to enhance the chocolate pumpkin cake layers. For a pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake, swirl gently to maintain distinct marbling. Following a bon appétit pumpkin cake or NYT pumpkin cake approach ensures consistent results. You can adapt this graveyard marble pumpkin cake recipe for a vegan chocolate pumpkin cake or make a graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil to keep it moist. Paying attention to the graveyard marble pumpkin cake ingredients, such as using room-temperature butter and properly measured cocoa, guarantees a rich, flavorful dessert that’s perfect for family gatherings, Halloween parties, or cozy fall treats. Even the Pioneer Woman-inspired variations of this cake benefit from these expert tips.

💡 Expert Tips:

Use room-temperature butter and eggs for smooth, consistent batter.

Drain pumpkin puree if too watery to avoid a soggy pumpkin chocolate marble cake.

Mix cocoa powder with hot water before adding to ensure a smooth chocolate pumpkin cake layer.

Swirl pumpkin and chocolate batters gently to create a defined marbling effect for your pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake.

Use vegetable oil in your graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil for extra moistness.

Preheat oven fully and bake in the center rack for even cooking, following NYT pumpkin cake or bon appétit pumpkin cake timing.

Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.

Decorate with crushed cookies or chocolate tombstones for the graveyard theme inspired by Pioneer Woman recipes.

Check doneness with a toothpick to ensure a perfect pumpkin chocolate marble cake texture.

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This Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake is a show-stopping dessert that combines the rich flavor of a chocolate pumpkin cake with the seasonal charm of pumpkin. Whether you’re making a pumpkin chocolate marble cake for a family gathering, a pumpkin chocolate swirl bundt cake for Halloween, or a bon appétit pumpkin cake-inspired treat, this recipe is versatile and crowd-pleasing. You can even try a vegan chocolate pumpkin cake or a moist graveyard marble pumpkin cake with oil version. Following the graveyard marble pumpkin cake ingredients and techniques from NYT pumpkin cake or Pioneer Woman-inspired recipes ensures a beautifully marbled, flavorful dessert every time. This graveyard marble pumpkin cake recipe is easy to customize, visually impressive, and perfect for special occasions or cozy fall weeknights, making it a must-try for any pumpkin dessert lover.

Graveyard Marble Pumpkin Cake

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: 40–45 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A moist pumpkin and chocolate swirl cake with a spooky “graveyard” theme. Perfect for Halloween, this cake features a marbled chocolate-pumpkin interior and can be decorated with crushed cookies or chocolate tombstones for a fun, festive look.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round or bundt cake):

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup pumpkin puree

• ½ cup whole milk

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2–3 tablespoons hot water

For the Frosting / Topping:

• 1 cup cream cheese, softened (or buttercream)

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed

• Crushed chocolate cookies or small chocolate tombstone decorations

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or bundt pan.

Step 2: Make the Pumpkin Batter
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
In a large bowl, beat together butter, oil, and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and pumpkin puree. Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing until smooth.

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Batter
In a small bowl, mix cocoa powder with hot water to form a smooth paste.

Step 4: Marble the Cake
Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the pan, then add the chocolate batter in dollops. Top with the remaining pumpkin batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl for a marbled effect.

Step 5: Bake
Bake 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate
Mix cream cheese frosting until smooth, adding milk as needed for spreading consistency. Frost the cooled cake. Decorate with crushed chocolate cookies or mini chocolate tombstones to create a “graveyard” scene.

Notes

• Moist Cake Tip: Use vegetable oil for extra moistness.
• Vegan Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based milk and butter.
• Make Ahead: Bake a day before serving; decorate the same day for the freshest look.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Halloween Cake
• Method: Baked / Marbled / Decorated
• Cuisine: American