Cakes & CupcakesNo. 1503 · The 2026 edition
Ghost Cake
This spooky ghost cake with hidden colorful layers and marshmallow spiderwebs is perfect for Halloween parties.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.com.
This ghost cake features three colorful layers (green, orange, and black cocoa) hidden under a black frosting exterior. It's decorated with marshmallow spiderwebs, Halloween sprinkles, and white frosting ghosts with black faces. The cake is moist and flavorful, with a creamy buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans with baking spray and set them aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla yogurt until fully incorporated.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.
- Add the remaining flour mixture and mix until no lumps remain.
- Divide the batter evenly among three small bowls. Tint one bowl green and another orange using food coloring.
- To the third bowl, add the black cocoa powder and 1-2 tablespoons of milk, stirring until well combined.
- Pour each colored batter into a separate prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on medium speed until smooth after each addition.
- Add the vanilla and milk, then beat on high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Remove 1 1/2 cups of the frosting and set it aside in a small bowl (this will be used for the ghosts).
- Tint the remaining large bowl of frosting black using food coloring; you may need quite a bit to achieve a deep black.
- Place one cake layer on a cake board or serving plate. Spread about 3/4 to 1 cup of black frosting evenly on top.
- Add the second cake layer and spread another 3/4 to 1 cup of black frosting on top.
- Place the third layer on top. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread a thin layer of black frosting all over the cake (crumb coat).
- Place the cake in the freezer for 20 minutes to set the crumb coat.
- Remove the cake from the freezer and apply a final smooth layer of black frosting all over.
- To make spiderwebs, place the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20-30 seconds until they puff up.
- Stir the melted marshmallows until they resemble marshmallow cream.
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the marshmallow mixture. Carefully stretch it between your fingers to form a web, then gently place it onto the cake. The web will stick to your hands, so ease it off so it adheres to the cake.
- Press Halloween sprinkles around the bottom edge of the cake.
- For the ghosts, transfer the reserved white frosting to a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch to 1-inch opening. Pipe swirling mounds of frosting along the top of the cake to form ghost shapes.
- To make ghosts on the sides, apply a little pressure to create a circle, then pull the bag away in a swooping motion to form the ghost's tail.
- Place the remaining black frosting in a piping bag with a very small tip. Pipe two dots for eyes and a large 'O' shape for the mouth on each ghost.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.