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Halloween Spider Web Cake

This spider web cake features a layered chocolate and vanilla sponge decorated with piped web patterns that resemble a spooky spider web. The cake’s smooth frosting creates a clean surface for intricate web designs, resulting in an elegant and haunting Halloween centerpiece with a moist, tender crumb and a rich, sweet flavor.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder preferably Dutch-processed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour sifted, for vanilla sponge
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup milk whole or 2%
  • Chocolate ganache for decoration prepared ahead
  • White royal icing for web piping prepared and colored as needed

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Layer cake pans
  • Cooling rack
  • Piping bags

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two cake pans, then set aside.
  2. Mix the chocolate cake batter by combining flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth and no lumps remain. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  4. Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let the cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla sponge by mixing flour, sugar, and softened butter until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla and milk. Divide the batter into the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, then cool completely.
  6. Level the cooled cakes with a serrated knife if needed, then spread a layer of frosting between the chocolate and vanilla layers. Stack the layers and apply a thin crumb coat all over the assembled cake. Chill for 30 minutes for a smooth surface.
  7. Frost the entire cake with a smooth layer of your preferred frosting, creating an even finish. Chill the cake for 15 minutes to set the frosting before decorating.
  8. Fill a piping bag fitted with a small round tip with white royal icing. Pipe concentric circles from the center outward on the top surface of the cake, then use a toothpick to gently drag lines outward from the center to create the web pattern.
  9. Decorate additional web lines around the sides and add spider decorations or other accents as desired for a spooky effect.
  10. Finish by draping chocolate ganache over the cake or adding edible decorations if you like. Slice and serve to reveal a layered, web-patterned interior, perfect for Halloween celebrations.

Notes

For best web piping, practice drawing circles on parchment paper first. Chill the decorated cake if not serving immediately to ensure the web pattern stays sharp.