Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Halloween Red Velvet Brain Cake on black plate

Halloween Red Velvet Brain Cake

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

Description

This creepy-cute cake features moist red velvet layers sculpted and decorated to look like a realistic brain — perfect for Halloween parties or themed gatherings. Cream cheese frosting adds tangy richness, and raspberry or strawberry “blood” gives it a gruesome, realistic touch.

Ingredients

Scale

🛒 Ingredients (for a medium brain-shaped cake):

For the Cake:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil

  • 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tablespoons red food coloring

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

For the Frosting & Brain Detail:

  • 16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream (to adjust consistency)

For the “Blood” Effect:

  • ½ cup raspberry or strawberry jam (or fresh berry puree)

Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Bake the Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar until smooth.

  4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until combined.

  5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

  6. Cool completely on wire racks.

Step 2: Prepare Frosting

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.

  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and milk, until smooth and spreadable.

Step 3: Shape the Brain

  1. Level cakes if needed. Stack the two layers with a thin layer of frosting in between.

  2. Carve the stacked cake into an oval “brain” shape, rounding the sides.

  3. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting and chill for 20–30 minutes.

Step 4: Pipe Brain Ridges

  1. Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped) with frosting.

  2. Pipe continuous curved lines over the cake, mimicking the brain’s folds and ridges.

Step 5: Add “Blood” Effect

 

  • Warm the berry jam slightly and drizzle over the brain folds for a realistic, gory look.

Notes

  • Shaping Tip: Use a serrated knife to gently sculpt the cake; don’t over-carve.
  • Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to the cream cheese frosting for subtle chocolate depth.
  • Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert / Themed Cake
  • Method: Baked / Sculpted / Piped
  • Cuisine: American / Halloween

Find it online: https://www.eminentrecipes.com/halloween-red-velvet-brain-cake/