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Halloween Spider Web Cake

This spider web cake features moist, layered sponge infused with fall spices and vanilla, decorated with an intricate black icing web on top. The cake's appearance resembles a haunted web, and it offers a soft, tender crumb with striking visual detail through the web pattern. The final texture is light and moist with a smooth, glossy web design that adds festive flair.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: dessert
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk warm
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder bitter or Dutch-processed
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar for icing
  • ¼ cup black gel food coloring
  • 2 tablespoons water hot

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Cake pans
  • Cooling rack
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag with fine tip
  • Offset spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt for even distribution.
  2. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, with a gentle whirring sound and a pale, airy texture.
  3. Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and slightly glossy.
  4. Mix in the vanilla extract, then alternately fold in the dry ingredients and warm milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, ensuring the batter remains light.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  6. Remove the cakes from the oven, allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The layers should be moist yet firm to the touch.
  7. Prepare the web icing by mixing confectioners' sugar with hot water and black gel food coloring, stirring until smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency with more water if needed to pipe easily.
  8. Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of icing between the two layers and stack them together. Use an offset spatula to frost the top and sides smoothly.
  9. Fill a piping bag fitted with a fine tip with the black icing, then pipe concentric circles from the center outward on the top of the cake.
  10. Using a toothpick or small skewer, drag lines from the center to the outer edge of each circle to create the web effect. Carefully pull through the icing to form a spider web design, making sure it’s detailed and even.
  11. Let the web icing set for a few minutes until it hardens slightly. Slice into portions, revealing moist layers beneath the web decoration. Enjoy the spooky, festive treat!

Notes

For best results, refrigerate the decorated cake for 30 minutes to set the icing before serving. You can also add decorative edible spiders for extra spookiness.