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Jack-O-Lantern Cake Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 60 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 8-12 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Jack-O-Lantern Cake is a festive and visually stunning dessert perfect for Halloween celebrations. It features a light, fluffy sponge cake with a bright orange hue and a spooky black Jack-O-Lantern face piped onto the cake using colored batter. Layers of smooth, freshly whipped cream provide a creamy contrast to the delicate cake. With vibrant colors and a fun design, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and an impressive centerpiece for any Halloween gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 4 Tbsp. sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 4 Tbsp. whole milk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp. vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2-3 drops orange food gel

Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 5-6 Tbsp. confectioners sugar
  • dash salt
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch circular pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Trace or draw a Jack-O-Lantern face onto the parchment paper, cutting it to fit the pan exactly for a perfect design.
  2. Make Egg Yolk Mixture: Whisk together the egg yolks and 4 tablespoons of sugar until smooth. Set aside the egg whites for later use.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add vegetable oil, whole milk, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the egg yolk mixture. Whisk everything until fully combined.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour and cornstarch into the wet ingredients. Whisk until the batter is smooth. Add 2-3 drops of orange food gel to tint the batter orange and mix gently.
  5. Whip Egg Whites: Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the 6 egg whites until frothy. Gradually add vinegar and 4 tablespoons sugar while whipping, and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. This step is crucial for cake texture.
  6. Fold Egg Whites: Carefully fold the whipped egg whites into the orange batter until fully combined, taking care not to overmix to avoid deflating the whites and thinning the batter.
  7. Create Black Batter: Remove about 1/4 cup of batter into a small bowl and tint it black with food coloring. Transfer black batter to a piping bag for detailed design work.
  8. Pipe the Design: Pipe the black Jack-O-Lantern face onto the parchment-lined pan. Place the pan in the freezer for 5-8 minutes to allow the design to set firmly.
  9. Pour Orange Batter and Bake: Pipe or pour the remaining orange batter over the frozen black design, covering the entire pan evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.
  10. Cool and Remove Cake: Immediately after baking, flip the cake out of the pan and carefully peel off the parchment paper to reveal the design. Use the remaining batter to bake two additional plain layers. Allow all cakes to cool completely.
  11. Prepare Whipped Cream: In a stand mixer bowl with whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream, confectioners sugar, dash of salt, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until stiff peaks form to create a smooth whipped cream.
  12. Assemble Cake: Begin layering by placing one plain cake layer on the bottom, then pipe a layer of whipped cream on top. Place the second plain cake layer over the cream and repeat. Finally, top the entire cake with the Jack-O-Lantern designed cake layer.
  13. Serve and Store: Keep the assembled cake refrigerated until serving. It can be made in advance; if so, wrap tightly in plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Enjoy your festive Jack-O-Lantern Cake!

Notes

  • Make sure to whip the egg whites to stiff peaks to achieve a light and fluffy cake texture.
  • Do not overmix when folding egg whites into the batter to avoid deflating the mixture.
  • The black batter design should be set in the freezer before pouring the orange batter for crisp detail.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors that do not affect batter consistency.
  • This cake is best served chilled but can be prepared a day ahead if well wrapped.
  • If desired, use a cooled cake to facilitate easier frosting and assembly.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/12 of cake)
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 110mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 160mg

Find it online: https://tastyrates.com/jack-o-lantern-cake-recipe-2/