Description
A spooky-chic pumpkin layer cake stacked with moist pumpkin spice layers, creamy cinnamon frosting, and eerie Halloween decorations. This haunted pumpkin layer cake is perfect for parties, fall gatherings, or a fun family baking night. Dress it up with ghostly drips, chocolate trees, candy pumpkins, or black cocoa accents to create a haunting centerpiece everyone will remember.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (for one 3-layer 8-inch Haunted Pumpkin Cake):
For the Pumpkin Cake Layers:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
For the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2–4 tablespoons milk for consistency
For Decorations:
Black cocoa or black gel food coloring
Candy pumpkins or candy corn
Chocolate trees or shards
Edible glitter, sprinkles, or Halloween toppers
Optional: white chocolate drip tinted gray or black
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans.
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice.
In another bowl, mix pumpkin purée, sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold dry ingredients into wet. Add buttermilk and mix until just combined.
Divide batter among pans and bake 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely before frosting.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
Slowly add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Add milk until smooth and spreadable.
Step 3: Assemble the Cake
Level each cake layer.
Add frosting between layers, then apply a thin crumb coat. Chill for 20 minutes.
Apply a final smooth coat. Tint some frosting black to add “haunted” accents or shadows.
Step 4: Decorate
Add chocolate trees, shards, or black cocoa designs around the sides.
Add a drip using tinted white chocolate if desired.
Top with candy pumpkins, sprinkles, or Halloween figurines.
Notes
• For cleaner stacking, chill layers before assembling.
• Add extra spice for a deeper fall flavor.
• Make mini haunted pumpkin cupcakes using the same batter.
• Cake can be baked 1 day ahead and decorated the next.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Halloween Cake
- Method: Baked / Layered / Decorated
- Cuisine: American