Halloween Chocolate Cake Recipe

What you need:

For the Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Chocolate Frosting and Decorations:

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 12 large marshmallows
• Black icing (for the ghost faces)
• Candy eyes (optional)

What to do:

Make the Cake:

1. Mix the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – in a large bowl.

2. Add the wet ingredients – milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract – and mix well until smooth.

3. Slowly stir in boiling water (the batter will be thin, but that's okay!).

4. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.

Make the Chocolate Frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix well.

3. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Assemble the Cake:

1. Once the cakes are cooled, frost the top of one cake and then place the second cake on top.

2. Spread a smooth layer of frosting on the top and sides of the stacked cake. Keep it simple or add a bit of texture to give the cake a spooky, rustic look.

Decorate with Ghosts:

1. To make the ghosts, stick a marshmallow on top of the cake for each ghost you want.

2. Use black icing to draw little ghost faces on the marshmallows – just two dots for eyes and a small oval for the mouth.

3. Add candy eyes around the sides of the cake if you want an extra touch of spookiness!