Ghostly Pirate Cake: A Spooky Sweet Delight for Your Halloween Party
Ahoy, fellow Halloween enthusiasts and party planners! If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert that combines the thrill of a pirate adventure with the fun of Halloween, look no further than the Ghostly Pirate Cake. This cake is not only delicious but also eye-catching, making it perfect for any Halloween or pirate-themed party. Here’s everything you need to know to create this spooky treat, including tips, prep and cook times, and a little extra motivation to make it your own.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Servings: 10-12
Ingredients
To make the Ghostly Pirate Cake, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 red Fruit Roll-Ups, unrolled
- Shredded coconut and black food coloring
- Assorted candies of your choice (e.g., Fruit by the Foot fruit roll, M&M’s, black licorice twists, caramels, plain chocolate bar, dark purple Gummi Life Saver, red-hot candy, and gold candy coins)
Directions
Preparing the Cake
- Preheat and Bake: Start by preparing and baking the cake according to the package directions. Use two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Assembling the Cake
- Shape the Pirate’s Head: Once cooled, cut two pieces from the lower edges of each cake to form the pirate’s head. Save these small pieces for another use or snack on them—after all, pirates need their energy!
- Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
- Layer and Frost: Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread ½ cup of frosting over it, then top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Decorating the Cake
- Create the Pirate’s Face: Use shredded coconut dyed with black food coloring to create a spooky beard. Arrange the assorted candies to form the pirate’s eyes, nose, and mouth. You can use the Fruit Roll-Ups for a pirate’s bandana, and the gold candy coins to make treasure.
- Add Final Touches: For an extra spooky effect, sprinkle a bit of shredded coconut around the base to look like ghostly mist.
Expert Tips
- Cake Mix: For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality cake mix or even homemade white cake batter.
- Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar.
- Decorating: Be creative with the candies! You can personalize the pirate’s face to match the theme of your party.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix? A: Absolutely! Feel free to use any flavor of cake mix that you prefer, though white or vanilla works best for a classic pirate look.
Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I make this cake in advance? A: Yes, you can prepare the cake a day in advance. Store it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
Make It Your Own
Now that you have all the details, why not bring your Halloween or pirate-themed party to life with this fantastic dessert? Happy baking, and may your Halloween be as fun and exciting as a pirate’s treasure hunt!
Whether you’re hosting a Halloween bash or just want to add a spooky touch to your dessert table, the Ghostly Pirate Cake is sure to be a hit.
This recipe is brought to you by The All New Edition Taste of Home Baking Book. From Harvest to Halloween to Holidays, the fresh smell of oven baked happiness will fill kitchens across the country this year. Filled with 786 recipes sure to make any holiday, party, or family dinner complete.
Ghostly Pirate Cake
Set sail for spooky fun with our Ghostly Pirate Cake recipe! Perfect for Halloween parties, this cake is a sweet and spooky hit!
Ingredients
- 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) white cake mix
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 red Fruit Roll-Ups, unrolled
- Shredded coconut and black food coloring
- Assorted candies of your choice (e.g., Fruit by the Foot fruit roll, M&M’s, black licorice twists, caramels, plain chocolate bar, dark purple Gummi Life Saver, red-hot candy, and gold candy coins)
Instructions
Preparing the Cake
- Preheat and Bake: Start by preparing and baking the cake according to the package directions. Use two greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, which usually takes about 30 minutes.
- Cool the Cakes: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Assembling the Cake
- Shape the Pirate’s Head: Once cooled, cut two pieces from the lower edges of each cake to form the pirate’s head. Save these small pieces for another use or snack on them—after all, pirates need their energy!
- Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
- Layer and Frost: Place one cake layer on a serving platter. Spread ½ cup of frosting over it, then top with the second cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Decorating the Cake
- Create the Pirate’s Face: Use shredded coconut dyed with black food coloring to create a spooky beard. Arrange the assorted candies to form the pirate’s eyes, nose, and mouth. You can use the Fruit Roll-Ups for a pirate’s bandana, and the gold candy coins to make treasure.
- Add Final Touches: For an extra spooky effect, sprinkle a bit of shredded coconut around the base to look like ghostly mist.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Cake Mix: For a richer flavor, consider using a high-quality cake mix or even homemade white cake batter.
- Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more confectioners' sugar.
- Decorating: Be creative with the candies! You can personalize the pirate’s face to match the theme of your party.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 351Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 410mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 2g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.