Spooky Skeleton Pumpkin Ghost Cake — A Spectral Showstopper

Last Halloween, I wanted a dessert that would wow my family without keeping me in the kitchen all night. That’s when I created this easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch. Using fresh pumpkin, simple ingredients, and a fun ghost cake design, it became an instant favorite. This Halloween pumpkin cake is not only quick and family-friendly, but it’s also customizable, making it perfect for busy weeknights or festive celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe is perfect for anyone looking to combine festive fun with easy baking. With a moist pumpkin cake made from fresh pumpkin, it’s a flavorful base for a spooky ghost cake design that kids and adults will adore. Whether you’re trying a gateau simple Halloween approach or exploring unique Halloween pumpkin cake ideas, this easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch is quick, customizable, and family-friendly. It’s an ideal dessert for weeknights or special occasions, bringing both creativity and seasonal flavors together. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even first-time bakers can achieve a professional-looking ghost cake design. The recipe balances festive presentation with comfort, making this Halloween pumpkin cake a standout choice for parties, school events, or cozy celebrations at home. Using fresh pumpkin ensures the cake is naturally moist and flavorful, elevating your Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe while keeping it approachable. This easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake is the ultimate combination of spooky fun, flavor, and simplicity, making it a must-try for the season.

Ingredients for This Recipe

To make this Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch, the ingredients are carefully chosen to balance flavor, moisture, and ease of preparation. Using fresh pumpkin ensures a naturally sweet and tender cake base, while warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger enhance the seasonal pumpkin flavor. Granulated and brown sugar provide sweetness and a rich texture. Cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, slightly tangy layer perfect for creating your ghost cake design. Simple decorations like chocolate chips or fondant eyes turn a basic Halloween pumpkin cake into a festive centerpiece. This easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe uses accessible ingredients that allow for customizable ghost cake designs while keeping the baking process approachable for beginners. Whether you’re exploring gateau simple Halloween ideas or experimenting with unique Halloween pumpkin cake ideas, these ingredients create a dessert that’s both visually fun and irresistibly delicious.

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

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground ginger
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
½ cup buttermilk

For the Frosting:

16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

For Decorations:

Mini chocolate chips or black fondant for ghost eyes
Optional: orange sprinkles or candy pumpkins

How to Make This Recipe

Making this Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch is simple, even for beginner bakers. Start by preparing a moist pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin and warm spices, creating a flavorful base for your ghost cake design. This easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe combines accessible ingredients with straightforward steps, perfect for exploring gateau simple Halloween ideas or trying creative Halloween pumpkin cake ideas. After baking, frost the cake with creamy cream cheese frosting, then add fun decorations like chocolate chip eyes or fondant shapes. The recipe balances festive presentation with family-friendly simplicity, making your Halloween pumpkin cake both delicious and visually impressive. Following this method ensures your Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch is tender, flavorful, and ready to wow at any party or cozy celebration.

🛒 Steps (for one 9-inch round cake or ghost-shaped cake):

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Step 3: In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and pumpkin puree (fresh pumpkin works best).

Step 4: Gradually mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk until smooth.

Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 6: Prepare cream cheese frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Step 7: Frost the cooled cake with a thin crumb coat, chill for 15 minutes, then fully frost the cake.

Step 8: Create ghost cake design with white frosting, chocolate chips, or black fondant for eyes, and optional orange sprinkles or candy pumpkins for a festive touch.

Step 9: Serve and enjoy your easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake, perfect for any spooky celebration.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch is easier when you understand how the ingredients work together. Using fresh pumpkin in your pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin adds natural moisture and sweetness, giving your cake a tender crumb. Properly creaming butter and sugar ensures a light texture, while spices like cinnamon and nutmeg enhance the classic Halloween pumpkin cake flavor. This easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe allows for creative ghost cake designs, making it fun for family-friendly baking. Choosing the right consistency for cream cheese frosting helps achieve smooth coverage and defined ghost cake designs. Whether you’re exploring gateau simple Halloween ideas or trying unique Halloween pumpkin cake ideas, these expert tips ensure your cake looks impressive and tastes amazing, making your Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch a standout dessert for parties or cozy celebrations.

💡 Expert Tips (for one 9-inch round cake or ghost-shaped cake):

Use fresh pumpkin puree for a moist and flavorful cake.
Cream butter and sugars thoroughly for a light, airy texture.
Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps in the pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk for even mixing.
Chill the cake after a crumb coat for smoother frosting application.
Use a piping bag or spatula to perfect your ghost cake design.
Add chocolate chips or black fondant for ghost eyes to enhance the Halloween pumpkin cake effect.
Experiment with gateau simple Halloween decorating ideas for unique and festive presentations.
Serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture of your easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake.

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This easy Halloween pumpkin ghost cake from scratch is a delightful way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Using fresh pumpkin, it creates a moist and flavorful pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin, perfect for both simple and elaborate ghost cake designs. Whether you prefer a gateau simple Halloween approach or want to explore creative Halloween pumpkin cake ideas, this Halloween pumpkin ghost cake recipe is versatile, fun, and approachable. Make your next Halloween party memorable with this festive and delicious Halloween pumpkin cake.

Halloween Pumpkin Ghost 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-flavored cake decorated with cute ghost shapes for a fun and spooky Halloween dessert. Perfect for parties, this cake uses cream cheese frosting and simple ghost designs with chocolate or fondant details for eyes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground ginger

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

• ½ cup buttermilk

For the Frosting:

• 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Decorations:

• Mini chocolate chips or black fondant for ghost eyes

• Optional: orange sprinkles or candy pumpkins

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Bake Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan.

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

3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and pumpkin puree.

4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk until smooth.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Step 2: Frost Cake

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.

2. Apply a thin crumb coat to the cake and chill for 15 minutes.

3. Frost the cake fully with remaining frosting.

Step 3: Decorate as Ghosts

1. Pipe ghost shapes using white frosting or shape them with fondant.

2. Use mini chocolate chips or small fondant pieces for eyes.

3. Optional: Add orange sprinkles or candy pumpkins around the base for a festive Halloween touch.

Notes

• Easy Version: Frost a single round cake and pipe ghost faces directly on top.
• Mini Version: Bake cupcakes and decorate each as a tiny ghost for a kid-friendly treat.
• Make Ahead: Bake the cake a day before serving; frost and decorate the day of.

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