This intriguing cake captures the essence of a spooky night with its bold and eerie design. The deep black frosting creates a mysterious backdrop for the intricately cut haunted house silhouette resting on top.
Accompanied by shadowy trees, wayward branches, and crawling spiders, the entire scene sits in front of a full moon, illuminated in the night sky. The texture of the cake’s frosting adds depth, creating the illusion of swirling mist or shadowy clouds, contributing to the cake’s overall haunting atmosphere.
How It Would Be Made
Begin by baking a sturdy, chocolate cake in a 9-inch round cake pan. Allow it to cool completely before moving on to the frosting stage. For the dramatic black frosting, you’ll need high-quality black food coloring mixed into buttercream frosting until you’ve achieved the desired depth of color.
Use a cake turntable and a bench scraper to apply the frosting smoothly around the sides of the cake, creating subtle, horizontal ridges for added texture. A rotating cake stand will be helpful for even application.
The haunted house silhouette can be crafted from black cardstock or fondant. If using cardstock, print and cut out a haunted house shape, reinforcing it with skewers to give it stability when placed atop the cake. For fondant, roll it out and cut freehand or use cookie cutters to form the silhouette.
If you have access to a laser cutter, that’s even better. Laser cut a haunted house design from black cardstock or even wood.
You can use a decal or stickers for the moon and bats, or hand paint (or inkjet print) these.
Decorate the scene with additional fondant details like spiders and spindly tree branches. Position these elements carefully to assemble the scene before placing a large edible printed wafer paper moon as the backdrop.
What It’s Best For
This cake is an ideal centerpiece for Halloween gatherings, providing a perfect blend of spooky and sophisticated. It’s also suited for themed parties where a haunting vibe is appreciated—such as a “murder mystery” dinner or a Gothic bridal shower. Its standout design will captivate guests, appealing particularly to those who appreciate the art of cake design.
Moreover, the cake is perfect for those who enjoy a touch of the macabre in their celebrations, making it a memorable component of any event with a spooky theme.