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.
Ingredients
🛒 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
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