Skeleton Hand Birthday Cake
A delightful and spooky chocolate cake designed to impress at any Halloween gathering or birthday party.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Chocolate skeleton hand mold
- Black food coloring (optional)
- Edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Mix on medium speed until just combined.
- Incorporate the boiling water slowly. Mix until smooth.
- Bake the batter in prepared pans for 30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
- Prepare the frosting: whip softened butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar, then add heavy cream and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
- Frost the first cake layer on a serving plate, layer with frosting, add second cake, and frost the top and sides.
- Make the skeleton hand per mold instructions and let it set completely.
- Decorate the cake with the chocolate skeleton hand, optional black-tinted frosting embellishments, and edible glitter.
Notes
Make sure ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter. Check for cake doneness with a toothpick.