Ghastly Graveyard Cake
Prepare to delight and spook your guests with this Ghastly Graveyard Cake, a whimsical twist on the classic graveyard pudding dessert. Perfect for Halloween gatherings, this cake features a moist chocolate foundation topped with a generous layer of frosting and a haunting assortment of decorative treats. With crushed cookies mimicking dirt, spooky marshmallow ghosties, and ominous tombstone cookies, this cake will be the centerpiece of your Halloween feast. Customize your cake with your favorite flavors and get creative with decorations that will thrill both kids and adults alike. Not only does it taste great, but it also brings a touch of frightful fun to your table, making it the ideal dessert for your Halloween festivities!
8-12
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cake mix
1 (18 1/4 ounce) package (Use your choice of cake flavor, preferably a moist variety.)
Water
1 1/3 cups (Measure out and add to the mixing bowl.)
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup (Add to the mixing bowl with other wet ingredients.)
Large eggs
3 (Crack into the mixing bowl with other ingredients.)
Nabisco Oreo cookies, crushed
10 ounces (Crush into fine crumbs for topping.)
Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies
6-10 (Use to create tombstone decorations.)
Prepared vanilla frosting
1 1/2-2 cups (Spread evenly over the cooled cake.)
Cake decorating gel
1-4 packages (Use to write phrases on Milano cookies.)
Candy corn
1 cup (Scatter over the cake as decoration.)
Harvest colored sprinkles or colored crystal sugar
1/4 cup (Use to garnish the cake.)
Laboratory decorative candies (optional)
6-12 (Add to the cake for spooky fun.)
Ghost-shaped peeps marshmallows
4-6 (Arrange on top of the cake.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or coated pans).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Blend the ingredients according to the package instructions, adjusting as necessary for your specific mix.
3
Grease and flour a 13x9-inch glass cake pan to ensure easy release after baking.
4
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or 38-40 minutes for dark or coated pans. To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean.
5
Once baked, allow your cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
6
Spread a thick, even layer of frosting over the cooled cake.
7
Evenly sprinkle the crushed Oreo cookies over the frosted surface to simulate dirt.
8
With gel decorating frosting, write playful or eerie phrases on half of the Milano cookies. Some phrase ideas include 'RIP', 'Justin Tyme', 'Will B Back', etc.
9
Gently press half of the decorated Milano cookies into the cake to represent standing tombstones.
10
Arrange the ghost-shaped peeps or other marshmallows in a standing position on top of the cake for an added spooky effect.
11
Finally, scatter candy corn, colored sprinkles, and any optional decorative candies like chocolate body parts over the top for the finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Ghastly Graveyard Cake?
It is a whimsical chocolate cake dessert decorated with Oreo dirt, Milano cookie tombstones, and marshmallow ghosts, perfect for Halloween gatherings.
What is the main flavor foundation of this cake?
The recipe uses a moist chocolate cake foundation, though you can customize it with your favorite cake flavors.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 8 to 12 servings.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or 325 degrees Fahrenheit if you are using dark or coated pans.
What size pan is recommended for the Ghastly Graveyard Cake?
A 13x9-inch glass cake pan is recommended for this recipe.
How long does the cake need to bake?
Bake for approximately 35 minutes in a standard pan, or 38 to 40 minutes for dark or coated pans.
How do I check if the cake is finished baking?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
How do I prepare the cake pan?
You should grease and flour the 13x9-inch pan to ensure easy release after baking.
How do I create the dirt topping?
Evenly sprinkle 10 ounces of crushed Oreo cookies over the frosted surface of the cake to simulate dirt.
Which cookies are used to make the tombstones?
Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies are used to represent standing tombstones in the graveyard.
What can I write on the tombstone cookies?
You can use gel decorating frosting to write eerie phrases such as RIP, Justin Tyme, or Will B Back.
What kind of marshmallows are used for ghosts?
Ghost-shaped Peeps marshmallows are used to add a spooky effect to the cake.
How long should the cake cool before I add the frosting?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
How much frosting is needed for this recipe?
You will need 1.5 to 2 cups of prepared vanilla frosting.
What liquid ingredients are required for the cake batter?
The cake batter requires 1 and 1/3 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
How many eggs are needed for the Ghastly Graveyard Cake?
The recipe calls for 3 large eggs.
What is used to write the phrases on the tombstones?
The recipe suggests using 1 to 4 packages of cake decorating gel.
Can I add candy corn to the decorations?
Yes, the recipe suggests scattering 1 cup of candy corn over the top for a finishing touch.
What kind of sprinkles are used for garnish?
You can use 1/4 cup of harvest colored sprinkles or colored crystal sugar.
Are there any optional decorative candies suggested?
Yes, you can add laboratory decorative candies like chocolate body parts for extra spooky fun.
How do I position the ghost marshmallows?
Arrange the ghost-shaped marshmallows in a standing position on top of the frosted cake.
How many Milano cookies should I use?
The recipe suggests using between 6 and 10 Milano cookies.
Is this cake suitable for kids?
Yes, it is a fun, decorative dessert that is popular with both kids and adults at Halloween parties.
What brand of cookies is specifically mentioned for the dirt?
Nabisco Oreo cookies are specifically mentioned for creating the crushed cookie dirt.
Can I use a different flavor of frosting?
While vanilla is suggested, you can customize the cake with your favorite frosting flavors.
What is the total number of ingredients listed?
There are 12 specific ingredients listed for this graveyard cake.
Should I use a glass or metal pan?
The recipe instructions provide baking times for both glass pans and dark or coated pans.
How do I insert the tombstones into the cake?
Gently press half of the decorated Milano cookies into the cake so they stand upright like tombstones.
Is this a variation of a different dessert?
Yes, it is described as a whimsical twist on the classic graveyard pudding dessert.
What should I do if my pan is dark or coated?
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and increase the baking time to 38-40 minutes.