How to Make a Spooky and Delicious Ghost Cake

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a spooky and delicious Ghost Cake? This cake is not only a showstopper but also a delightful treat that will have your family and friends raving. As someone who loves to bake, I can assure you that this recipe is perfect for those who enjoy creating festive desserts. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get into the Halloween spirit while enjoying some quality time in the kitchen. So, let’s dive into this fun and easy cake that will surely impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a fun and festive way to celebrate Halloween.
• Perfect for gatherings, parties, or just a spooky family dinner.
• Easy to customize with your favorite flavors and decorations.
• Great for kids and adults alike—everyone loves a ghostly treat!
• Impressive enough to be a centerpiece at any Halloween celebration.

Ingredients

To create this delightful Ghost Cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
• 3 cups granulated sugar (600g)
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder (10g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (6g)
• 1 tsp ground ginger (3g)
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg (2g)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226g)
• 1/2 cup carton egg whites or 4 large egg whites, room temperature (120g)
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (165g)
• 1 1/2 cups full-fat sour cream, room temperature (360g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
• 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (452g)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 7 cups powdered sugar (875g)
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature (60g)
• 4, 6-inch Cake Pans
• Spinning Cake Stand
• 8-inch Cake Board
• Offset Spatula
• Acetate Sheet
• 5 Small Piping Bags
• 1 Large Piping Bag
• 4 Small Round Piping Tips (like a Wilton 10)
• 1 Small Leaf Piping Tip (like a Wilton 352)
• Black, Pink, and Orange Gel food Coloring

Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make the Recipe

Now, let’s get to the fun part—baking this spooky cake!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
3. Add the room temperature butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the egg whites, pumpkin puree, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting by beating the room temperature butter until creamy.
10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
11. Add the heavy whipping cream and beat until fluffy.
12. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the layers with the buttercream and stack them on top of each other.
13. Use the offset spatula to create a smooth finish on the outside of the cake.
14. Now for the fun part—decorating! Use your piping bags and tips to create ghost shapes on the cake using the black, pink, and orange gel food coloring.
15. Finish with any additional decorations you desire!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Here are some helpful suggestions to ensure your Ghost Cake turns out perfectly:

• Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
• Don’t rush the cooling process; a warm cake can lead to a messy frosting job.
• Experiment with different colors and designs for your ghosts to make it uniquely yours.
• If you’re short on time, consider using store-bought frosting for a quicker option.
• For a fun twist, try adding chocolate chips or nuts to the cake batter!

How to Serve

This Ghost Cake is perfect for any Halloween gathering! Serve it as a delightful dessert at your spooky party, or surprise your family with a festive treat after a quick family dinner. Pair it with a warm cup of cider or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch. It’s sure to be a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

If you want to prepare ahead of time, you can bake the cakes a day in advance and store them wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature. The frosting can also be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick whip before using. This cake can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days, but I doubt it will last that long with how delicious it is!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your baking supplies ready and let’s create this spooky Ghost Cake together! It’s a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween and make some sweet memories in the kitchen. And if you’re looking for more fun ideas, check out my Homemade Smoothies or Energy Boosting Smoothie recipes for a refreshing treat to enjoy alongside your cake. Happy baking!

Ghost Cake

A spooky and delicious layered cake perfect for Halloween, featuring pumpkin and cinnamon flavors with vibrant decorations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Flour and Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
• 3 cups granulated sugar (600g)
• 2.5 tsp baking powder (10g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (6g)
• 1 tsp ground ginger (3g)
• 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg (2g)

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226g)
• 0.5 cup carton egg whites (120g)
• 0.66 cup pumpkin puree (165g)
• 1.5 cups full-fat sour cream (360g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g)

Frosting and Decoration

• 2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (452g)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (12g)
• 0.5 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 7 cups powdered sugar (875g)
• 0.25 cup heavy whipping cream (60g)

Tools and Decorations

• 4 6-inch Cake Pans Cake Pans
• 1 Spinning Cake Stand Cake Stand
• 1 8-inch Cake Board Cake Board
• 1 Offset Spatula Spatula
• 1 Acetate Sheet Acetate Sheet
• 5 Small Piping Bags Small Piping Bags
• 1 Large Piping Bag Large Piping Bag
• 4 Small Round Piping Tips Small Round Piping Tips (like a Wilton 10)
• 1 Small Leaf Piping Tip Small Leaf Piping Tip (like a Wilton 352)
• 1 Set Gel Food Coloring (Black, Pink, Orange)

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour four 6-inch cake pans.
2. Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine and divide batter evenly into pans.
3. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely.
4. Prepare frosting by beating butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until smooth. Frost and decorate the cooled cake.
5. Use food coloring and piping tips to create spooky decorations. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, chill the cake before decorating and use high-quality ingredients.