Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake Recipe

There’s something magical about baking in the fall—when your whole house smells like chocolate, cocoa, and warm butter, and your kitchen is covered in frosting smears and candy wrappers. And nothing says Halloween quite like a Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake glowing on your table (okay, it doesn’t actually glow, but it looks like it could).

This cake is all about having fun in the kitchen without pulling your hair out. No fondant, no sculpting tools—just two chocolate Bundt cakes, stacked and frosted with smooth orange buttercream, carved to look like a classic Halloween pumpkin face. It’s spooky, a little silly, and totally delicious.

Whether you’re planning a kids’ party, a potluck, or just a cozy night at home with scary movies and snacks, this Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake is the ultimate edible decoration.

Let’s get baking.

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Why You’ll Love This Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

Here’s the thing about this cake—it looks super impressive but is honestly really simple to pull off.

• It uses two Bundt cakes, stacked together to form a perfect pumpkin shape.
• The whole thing is decorated with a basic American buttercream technique—no fondant required!
• The face is carved into the frosting, so there’s no need to cut the cake itself.
• It’s made with common pantry staples: butter, cocoa, sugar, eggs, flour.
• You can make it ahead, store it for a few days, and customize it however you like.
• Kids will absolutely love helping decorate this one—it’s a kid-friendly Halloween treat through and through.

Looking for more easy-to-make Halloween dessert alternatives? Check out our puff pastry dessert recipes for quick party-ready sweets.

Ingredients for the Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

You don’t need any fancy ingredients or professional supplies. This recipe is built for home kitchens and busy schedules.

For the Chocolate Bundt Cakes (2 cakes total):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups caster sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (or coconut milk alternative)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Buttercream Frosting:

You’ll need three batches total.

• 3 cups unsalted butter (softened)
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or non-dairy alternative
• Orange, green, and black food gel coloring (don’t use liquid!)
• ¼ cup melted dark chocolate (for base of the black frosting)

Looking for something richer? Try one of our decadent chocolate-based dessert ideas.

How to Make the Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake at Home

Making a Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake at home might look tricky, but it’s actually really approachable—even for beginners.

Step 1: Prepare the Bundt Pans

This cake starts with two classic Bundt cakes. Use 6-cup Nordic Ware Anniversary pans for best results.

Grease your pans generously with butter, then dust with cocoa powder. This avoids white patches and prevents sticking.

Pro tip: Cocoa powder works better than flour for chocolate cakes—it blends in instead of standing out.

Step 2: Bake the Cakes

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Slowly combine them until smooth.

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared Bundt pans and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 35–40 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Let cakes cool completely before removing from pans.

Building and Frosting Your Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

Step 3: Level and Stack the Cakes

Use a serrated knife to trim the flat tops if needed. You want both Bundt cakes to sit flush against each other when stacked. Apply a thin layer of orange buttercream between the cakes to stick them together.

You’ll end up with a perfectly round pumpkin shape. This is where the magic starts!

Step 4: Crumb Coat and Chill

Apply a crumb coat—a thin layer of orange frosting to trap crumbs and smooth out the surface. Pop the cake in the fridge for 20–30 minutes.

Step 5: Final Buttercream Layer

Once chilled, apply the second, thicker layer of orange buttercream. Using a cake turntable makes this step way easier. Smooth it with an offset spatula for a pumpkin-skin finish.

For that next-level pro look, you can switch to Swiss Meringue Buttercream here if you want.

Decorating Your Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

Step 6: Carve the Pumpkin Face

Lightly trace your face design with a toothpick. Use a small knife to carve triangle eyes and a jagged smile into the frosting. Don’t go too deep—you’re not cutting the cake, just the frosting layer.

Mix your black food gel into the chocolate buttercream and pipe it into the carved spaces using a Wilton #4 round tip.

Step 7: Add Vines, Leaves, and a Stalk

Use green gel food coloring to tint a small portion of frosting. Fit a piping bag with a leaf tip and create curly vines, leaves, and a stalk on top.

This is where you can get creative—add candy eyeballs, sprinkles, or edible glitter if you’re feeling wild.

Want more ideas like this? Browse our holiday-themed cupcake decoration ideas.

Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

Whether this is your first Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake or your fifth, these simple tips will help it come out clean, sturdy, and stunning.

• Use food gel, not liquid coloring. It’s more vibrant and won’t mess up your frosting consistency.
• Don’t skip the crumb coat—it’s the secret to a clean, pro-looking finish.
• Use a cake turntable to spin while frosting. It saves your arm and your sanity.
• Chill between coats to help everything set properly.
• Want dairy-free? Use coconut milk or almond milk in both cake and frosting.
• Make it fun: Let your kids design their own spooky face ideas on paper first!

Need even more ideas? Pair this cake with Cinnamon-sugar topped Halloween desserts for a killer spread.

FAQs

Looking for more spooky snacks? Check out our mini desserts for Halloween parties.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

• Serving Size: 1 slice (1/30 of cake)
• Calories: Approx. 433
• Allergens: Contains dairy, gluten, eggs, sugar
• Storage: Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days

Need more inspiration for events? Our bar desserts for seasonal celebrations have tons of ideas you can adapt for Halloween too.

Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 30 slices

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Description

This Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake is a spooky, silly, and sweet chocolate Bundt cake centerpiece decorated with vibrant orange buttercream and a carved pumpkin face. Perfect for Halloween parties or cozy nights in.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups caster sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (or coconut milk alternative)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups unsalted butter (softened)
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp milk or non-dairy alternative
• Orange, green, and black food gel coloring
• 1/4 cup melted dark chocolate

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Instructions

1. Grease two 6-cup Bundt pans with butter and dust with cocoa powder.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another, then combine until smooth.
3. Divide batter between pans and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes.
4. Let cakes cool completely before removing from pans.
5. Trim tops if needed and stack with orange buttercream in between to form pumpkin shape.
6. Apply a crumb coat of orange buttercream and chill for 20–30 minutes.
7. Frost cake with a thick layer of orange buttercream and smooth using offset spatula.
8. Trace pumpkin face with a toothpick and carve shapes into the frosting using a knife.
9. Fill carved areas with chocolate-black buttercream using a Wilton #4 tip.
10. Tint frosting green and pipe vines, leaves, and a stalk on top using a leaf tip.

Equipment

bowl

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Notes

Use food gel instead of liquid coloring to preserve frosting texture. A turntable and crumb coat help achieve a smooth, professional finish. Chill between steps for best results. Kids can help decorate!

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (1/30 of cake)
• Calories: 433

Final Thoughts on Your Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake

This Jack-O’-Lantern Halloween Cake isn’t just a recipe—it’s a whole spooky project wrapped in chocolate and buttercream. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or trying your hand at your first Halloween dessert, you can absolutely pull this off. It’s easy to customize, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to impress.

And when you slice it open at your party and everyone gasps? That’s the real Halloween magic.

Looking for more holiday baking inspo? Our themed cookies for holidays like Halloween are another sweet way to get festive.

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