Ghost Cake: A Spooktacular Centerpiece for Your Halloween Table

Halloween is the perfect time to go all out with festive decorations, fun costumes, and of course—creative desserts! If you’re looking for a Halloween showstopper that’s spooky, sweet, and irresistibly fun, this Ghost Cake needs to be at the top of your baking list. Whether you’re throwing a party or just looking to surprise your family, this cake is the perfect blend of hauntingly adorable and delightfully delicious.

This Halloween treat isn’t just another themed dessert—it’s a centerpiece. With its ghostly white appearance, playful personality, and crowd-pleasing flavor, the Ghost Cake brings a whole lot of charm to your Halloween food for party tables. And the best part? It’s easier to make than it looks!

For a fully festive table, serve this ghost cake with other Halloween Baking favorites like Pumpkin Cake Pops or Ghost Wafer Cookies to complete your eerie ensemble.

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Why This Ghost Cake Is a Must-Have for Halloween Parties

Not only is this Ghost Cake visually stunning, but it also serves as a conversation starter. Place it in the center of your dessert table and watch how quickly guests are drawn to it. Whether you’re hosting a classroom celebration, a neighborhood party, or an adults-only costume bash, this ghost cake delivers on every level.

Unlike some themed desserts that require hours of meticulous decorating, this one strikes the perfect balance of effort and reward. It’s perfect for those who want something that looks impressive without spending all day in the kitchen. Plus, you can easily adapt it to different skill levels—go simple with piped frosting ghosts or get creative with fondant designs.

From spooky to sweet, this cake fits right in with all your fun Halloween food plans.

Perfect for Kids, Adults, and Everyone Who Loves Halloween Goodies

This Ghost Cake is a family-friendly treat that everyone can enjoy. Kids will be enchanted by the cute ghost faces, while adults will appreciate the rich, moist cake layers and creamy frosting. It’s a hit at school events, fall bake sales, and even office parties.

If you’re planning a spread of Halloween food treats, this cake offers a delightful contrast to the usual candy overload. And because you can customize the cake flavor, filling, and decoration style, it works for all kinds of dietary preferences.

For a fun twist, try serving this cake alongside Apple Brownies and Bloody Red Velvet Popcorn for a spooky dessert spread that appeals to all taste buds.

Ingredients You’ll Need for a Hauntingly Delicious Ghost Cake

Here’s what you’ll need to make a medium-sized (6-inch or 8-inch) Ghost Cake:

For the Cake:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk

For the Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3–4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Pinch of salt

For Decoration:
Mini meringue or fondant ghosts
Black edible gel or candy eyes
Optional: white chocolate shavings or marshmallow fluff for texture

This ingredient list is highly adaptable—feel free to flavor your cake base with spices, chocolate, or even pumpkin for a more fall-forward feel.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Bake and Decorate the Perfect Ghost Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 6-inch or 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla. One at a time, beat in the eggs. Mix in vanilla extract.
5. Combine wet and dry. Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk. Begin and end with flour.
6. Bake the cake. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely.
7. Make the frosting. Beat the butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a bit of cream until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
8. Assemble the cake. Stack the cooled cake layers with a layer of frosting in between. Frost the entire cake with a thick, smooth layer of white frosting.
9. Decorate. Place fondant or meringue ghosts around the cake. Use black gel or edible markers to add ghost eyes and mouths. You can pipe small dollops of frosting into ghost shapes as an alternative.
10. Chill and serve. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving to help the frosting set.

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Kitchen Tools You’ll Need for Halloween Baking Success

To make this Ghost Cake, gather the following tools:

2 round cake pans (6-inch or 8-inch)
Electric hand or stand mixer
Mixing bowls
Spatula and whisk
Cake turntable (optional but helpful)
Offset spatula or bench scraper
Piping bag and tip (for frosting ghosts)
Edible markers or gel for ghost faces

These tools help you achieve a professional finish even if you’re a home baker.

Tips for Making a Fluffy, Moist Cake Base

Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing and better texture.
Don’t overmix once you add the flour—it can toughen the cake.
Try using cake flour for a lighter crumb.
Add a little sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for extra moisture.
If desired, fold in mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or a hint of cinnamon for a fall-inspired flavor twist.

These simple tips ensure your cake base is anything but boring.

How to Create the Perfect Ghost Design With Frosting or Fondant

For piped frosting ghosts: use a round piping tip and pipe upright blobs on top of the cake. Add candy eyes while still soft.
For fondant ghosts: Roll out fondant and cut into small ghost shapes. Use black gel to add eyes and smiles.
Meringue ghosts are another fun option. You can bake these ahead and use them as cake toppers.
Don’t forget to add textures like shredded coconut or marshmallow fluff to give your cake a haunted, whimsical appearance.

No matter your skill level, there’s a ghostly design option for everyone.

Common Ghost Cake Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Frosting too soon? Let the cake cool completely or your frosting will melt.
Ghosts won’t stick? Add a small dab of frosting underneath each decoration.
Cake layers slipping? Use a thin crumb coat and chill before the final frosting layer.
Cake too dense? Avoid overmixing and double-check your baking powder’s freshness.

Taking a few extra steps can really elevate your Halloween baking results.

Serving and Display Ideas for Halloween Food Treats

Serve your Ghost Cake on a black or silver cake stand to highlight the white ghosts.
Use edible glitter or Halloween sprinkles around the base for extra flair.
Create a haunted dessert table with Pumpkin Cake Pops, Bloody Red Velvet Popcorn, and Halloween Brookies for a themed party display.
You can also cut the cake into mini squares and serve on individual plates with ghost toppers for portion-controlled treats.

How to Store, Transport, or Gift Your Ghost Cake

To store: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
To freeze: Wrap unfrosted layers tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before decorating.
To transport: Use a cake carrier or a sturdy box lined with non-slip padding.
To gift: Slice and package in clear cellophane bags with Halloween tags or place in mini cake boxes.

Ghost Cake makes a fantastic edible gift for teachers, friends, or party hosts.

Fun Variations for Other Spooky Food and Holiday Snacks

Change the cake flavor: Try red velvet, chocolate, or pumpkin spice.
Add jam or cream cheese filling between layers for a surprise center.
Make mini ghost cupcakes for individual servings.
Color the frosting light purple or orange for a twist on the classic ghost look.
Add eyeball candies or edible glitter to enhance the spooky fun.

There’s no limit to how creative you can get with this ghostly concept.

More Halloween Baking and Treat Ideas to Try This Year

Looking for more hauntingly delicious ideas? Try these favorites:

Ghost Wafer Cookies
Pumpkin Cake Pops
Halloween Chocolate Chip Cookies
Apple Brownies
Blueberry Crème Bats
Bloody Red Velvet Popcorn

Each one adds flavor, fun, and fright to your Halloween celebration.

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FAQs About Ghost Cake and Halloween Food for Party Planning

Can I make this Ghost Cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the layers in advance and frost the day of the event.

Can I use boxed cake mix?
Definitely. Just focus on the decoration and homemade frosting for that extra wow factor.

What kind of ghosts should I use?
Fondant, meringue, or piped frosting ghosts all work well—choose based on time and skill.

How do I keep ghosts from falling over?
Insert a toothpick if needed or chill the cake to firm up the frosting.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, kids can help decorate and even make their own mini versions.

Final Thoughts: Boo-tiful, Baked, and Ready to Impress

This Ghost Cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a festive statement piece that brings Halloween spirit to life. Whether you’re baking with kids or creating a showpiece for a party, this treat is spooky, sweet, and sure to get rave reviews.

So grab your mixer, summon your decorating tools, and bring this ghostly vision to life. If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share it and subscribe to the blog for more creative holiday ideas and seasonal treats.

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