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+ servings
spooky rose cake for halloween on a cake stand on a white marble counter with pumpkins.

Spooky Rose Cake for Halloween

Mimi Council
This Spooky Rose Cake for Halloween uses activated charcoal and black cocoa powder for a dark and gloomy flower cake. I use marshmallow fluff to add spider webs for a festive and naturally decorated Halloween cake!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Decorating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Makes 8 servings
Calories 1089 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital Food Scale
  • Stand Mixer
  • 6-inch Cake Pans
  • Parchment Paper Cake Rounds
  • Piping Bags
  • Ateco Tip #827
  • Ateco Tip #30
  • Ateco Tip #68
  • Ateco Coupler

Ingredients
 
 

Batter

  • ¾ cup canola oil
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 326 grams cane sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 308 grams all purpose flour
  • 85 grams black cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

Frosting

  • 226 grams salted butter (softened)
  • 454 grams powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 57 grams black cocoa powder (sifted)
  • 28 grams activated charcoal
  • 6 to 7 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping

  • Toonie Moonie Organic Vanilla Marshmallow Fluff

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  • To make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, add the canola oil, heavy whipping cream, cane sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until combined.
  • Add the flour, black cocoa powder, baking powder, and fine sea salt.
  • Mix on low until combined into a smooth batter.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pans, they should weigh about 400 grams each.
  • Bake for 35 to 37 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the cake pans.
  • To make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, powdered sugar, black cocoa powder, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined and then speed mixer up to high and mix for at least 1 minute or until light and fluffy. Fit a piping bag with Ateco tip #827 and add most of the black frosting into the bag. Transfer the remaining frosting to an additional piping bag with a coupler. Add in Ateco tip #30 to the piping bag.
  • To assemble the cake: Pipe a dollop of frosting onto your cake stand or cake plate. Then add the first cake layer. Pipe a spiral of frosting, starting on the outer edge of the cake and working your way into the middle. Add a bit of marshmallow fluff into the center of the frosting and swirl it around.
  • Then top with the third cake layer and repeat this process. Top with the third cake layer.
  • Once the cake is fully assembled, pipe a few large rosettes on top of the cake with Ateco tip #827.
  • Fill in the gaps with small roses using the piping bag with Ateco tip #30. Then switch to Ateco tip #68 and pipe leaves anywhere you like.
  • Place some of the marshmallow crème into a piping bag and cut a small hole. Pipe small drizzles of fluff onto the top and sides of the cake to resemble spider webs. Or you can also do this drizzling it on top with fork.

Video

Notes

Tips
  • Always use a digital food scale for the best results.
  • You can use a hand mixer in place of a stand mixer if you prefer, either works.
  • If you're avoiding seed oils, jus replace the canola oil with EVOO or avocado oil.
  • You can use different numbered tips, for example, Wilton tips will have a different number so long as they are star tips for the roses and leaf tip for the leaves.
  • Be sure to store leftover cake in an airtight container.
  • Gluten Free — Replace the all purpose flour with 308 grams gluten free flour blend, I tested this with Namaste Organic Perfect Flour Blend. 
  • High Altitude — Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Nutrition

Calories: 1089kcalCarbohydrates: 138gProtein: 11gFat: 61gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 491mgPotassium: 377mgFiber: 8gSugar: 98gVitamin A: 1288IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 5mg
Want more recipes?Follow along on @mimisorganiceats for more inspiration!