Dye Free Buttercream Monster Cake Tutorial

glass mixing bowl with powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract on a marble counter.

First, make sure your cake is baked and cooled. To make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, half the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

vanilla decorating frosting in a glass mixing bowl on a marble counter.

Mix on low until combined. Then, add in the remaining powdered sugar as this will help ensure it doesn’t fly out as there is a lot here. Mix on low until combined and then speed the mixer up to high and whip for 2 to 4 minutes or until it’s light and fluffy. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl part way through mixing to ensure you have a smooth and creamy frosting.

crumb coated cake on a marble turn table on the kitchen counter.

Crumb coat your cake if you have a layer cake. If you are using a sheet cake, you can skip this step and just frost directly onto the cake.

plate with parchment paper and piped dollops of vanilla buttercream frosting on a marble counter.

To make the eyes: Fit a piping bag with Ateco tip #804. Add a small amount of white frosting into the piping bag, this is for the eyes. Place a piece of parchment paper on a plate and pipe dollops onto the parchment paper. You can make the eyes as big or as small as you like or even do oblong shapes.

plate with parchment paper and piped dollops of vanilla buttercream frosting with a piece of parchment paper pressed over the top.

Place a second piece of parchment paper on top of and press it down to smooth it out. Flip it over and do the same thing. This is going to help make the eyes flat. Place the plate in the freezer to set.

five bowls with different colored buttercream frosings on a marble counter.

Transfer the remaining frosting into small bowls. Use a different bowl for each color. Add in the matcha powder into one bowl, blue spirulina into another, blackberry powder in another, the orange dye in another and the activated charcoal in the last one. You can use more or less dye depending on the brightness that you prefer. Mix up the frosting to combine the dye, you may need to add a little bit of water for the powder dyes to get the right consistency.

monster eyes piped onto a piece of parchment paper on a plate on a marble counter.

Add the black frosting into a piping bag with a coupler. We need a coupler here so we can swap the tip. First add in Ateco tip #8 as this is for the eyes. Remove the eyes from the freezer and remove the parchment paper. Then, pipe small dollops of the black frosting on top of each eye, anywhere you like. You can do larger or smaller dollops, depending on where you want the eye to be. You can leave the eyes as is, or you can place of piece of parchment paper on top and smooth them out if you want the black portion to be flattened. Return the plate to the freezer.

piping bags with different colored frostings and decorating tips on a marble counter.

Swap the decorating tip on the black frosting for Ateco tip #105. Add the orange frosting into a piping bag with Ateco tip #133. Add the green frosting into a piping bag with Ateco tip #864. Add the purple frosting into a piping bag with Ateco tip #32. And add the blue frosting into a piping bag with Ateco tip #808.

monster cake piped with different colored frostings and textures on a marble turntable on the kitchen counter.

This cake is totally freeform, you can pipe dollops, swirls, waves, or squiggles with the different colors to create different monsters. For the orange, using Ateco tip #133, if you just pipe dollops onto the cake, it will look like monster hair. But, for the other colors, feel free to switch it up! Watching the video will help you see how I piped them.

Remove the monster eyes from the freezer and remove the parchment paper.

Add them onto the cake anywhere you like.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I make this decorating frosting vegan?

Yes, just use your favorite vegan butter or vegetable shortening in place of butter.

Can I use this technique on a sheet cake or single layer cake?

Yes, you can use this piping technique on any kind of cake you like. It works on a sheet cake or a single layer cake as well, you do not need to use a layer cake.

Can I use different colors?

Yes, you can use any kind of colors you like. Feel free to change up the colors however you want.

Can I make this cake in advance?

Yes, you can make this cake in advance of a Halloween party if you need to. Because this cake is completely covered in frosting, it will be find if it sits out overnight for a day. If it's warm in your house, store it in the fridge to keep the frosting set.

Halloween Party Inspiration

This is such a fun cake for a Halloween party! Serve it alongside some of my favorite Halloween candy and treats such as these:

monster cake with different colored textures and big eyes on a marble turn table on a kitchen counter cut into triangle slices.

slice of pumpkin chocolate chip monster cake on a plate on a marble counter.

More Decorated Halloween Desserts

Pumpkin Spice Buttercream Frosting

Spider Web Chocolate Strawberry Tart

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Graveyard Halloween Cake

Spooky Rose Cake for Halloween

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