Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping Halloween dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try this Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe. Seriously, this cake brings the festive vibes right to your kitchen with its clever pumpkin shape and adorable spooky face. The blend of warm spice cake and creamy orange frosting is just the perfect fall flavor combo. I absolutely love how this turns out – it’s not only delicious but a total conversation starter at any Halloween gathering.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about balancing ease and impressive results. The spice cake mix sets the perfect pumpkin base with warm fall spices, while the orange-tinted frosting adds that classic pumpkin color. You’ll want handy decorating supplies, too, but nothing too intimidating.

• Spice cake mix: Using two packages gives you enough to bake the layered pumpkin shape; I prefer classic spice mixes that aren’t too sweet.
• Vanilla frosting: The creamy vanilla frosting is great for adding orange food coloring without it turning bitter or off-flavor.
• Orange paste food coloring: Paste colors provide vibrant hues and are more stable than liquid food coloring for this recipe.
• Ice cream cake cone: This acts as the pumpkin’s stem and adds an adorable 3D effect.
• Oreo cookies: Great for creating jack-o’-lantern eyes because of the dark cookie and white filling contrast.
• Black fondant: Ready-to-use fondant is your secret weapon for crafting the mouth and nose — so much easier than trying to pipe intricate details.

Variations

I love encouraging a little kitchen creativity, so don’t hesitate to tweak this Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe to suit your style or dietary preferences. There are a handful of fun ways to switch things up, whether for taste or to suit your guests.

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped in gluten-free cake mixes and found the texture comes out almost indistinguishable from the regular version.
• Chocolate Pumpkin: Sometimes I use a chocolate cake mix for an unexpected twist, and it’s surprisingly awesome paired with the orange frosting.
• Fruity Filling: Adding pumpkin puree or apple butter between the layers adds moistness and an extra punch of fall flavor.
• Decorating Fun: Instead of Oreos, I once tried candy eyes and orange candy melts to create a more playful look that kids adored.

How to Make Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Spice Cakes

Start by following the instructions on the spice cake mix boxes, baking the batter in two 10-inch fluted tube pans. Fluted pans give the cake the ridged shape that mimics a pumpkin’s grooves, which is such a neat trick I didn’t know about until I tried this recipe. Once baked, invert the cakes onto wire racks and let them cool completely. Give them plenty of time to cool so the frosting doesn’t melt later!

Step 2: Color and Spread Your Frosting

While the cakes cool, mix your vanilla frosting with the orange paste food coloring. Use just enough coloring to get a bright, pumpkiny orange without thinning out the frosting. Once your cakes are cooled, trim a thin slice off the bottom of each — this helps the cakes sit flat. On one cake bottom, spread a generous layer of the orange frosting and press the second cake on top, flat sides together, creating a stacked pumpkin shape. This sandwiching technique gives your cake great height and that round pumpkin look.

Step 3: Shape and Frost the Pumpkin

Place a foil ball in the center on top of the stacked cakes to act as the base for the stem. This little trick supports the ice cream cone stem so it doesn’t tip over. Frost the entire cake with the remaining orange frosting, smoothing it nicely to keep the pumpkin shape clear. Then, gently push the ice cream cake cone onto the foil ball — you’ve made your pumpkin stem!

Step 4: Create the Jack-o’-Lantern Face

Roll out a piece of black fondant to about 1/8-inch thickness and cut out your desired shapes for the eyes, nose, and mouth. I love playing with goofy jack-o’-lantern faces — sometimes I go spooky, sometimes silly. For the eyes, split two Oreo cookies in half and trim little half-circles from the white cream to form pupils. Press the Oreo halves and fondant pieces carefully into the frosting so they stick well. This decorating step is fun and easy — no messy carving required!

How to Serve Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with whimsical garnishes. Sometimes I dust a little cocoa powder around the base to mimic pumpkin “dirt,” or sprinkle some edible glitter for a magical sparkle. If you want extra flair, placing some candy corn or pumpkin-shaped sprinkles around the cake plate always adds a festive touch I notice guests appreciate.

Side Dishes

This cake is a star all on its own, but I like to pair it with a side of spiced apple cider or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. If you’re serving it after dinner, light and refreshing fruit like sliced pears or citrus segments round out the meal and balance the rich spice flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

When I first made this Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe for a party, I placed it on a rustic wooden board surrounded by mini pumpkins and fall leaves for that autumn harvest vibe. Another time, I set it inside a large clear cloche to create a “pumpkin under glass” centerpiece—everyone loved how charming and unexpected that was!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I wrap leftover cake tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh. It stays moist and delicious for up to 3 days, though, honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze the cake, I recommend freezing it before adding the Oreo and fondant decorations. Wrap the frosted cake tightly with plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it tastes almost as fresh as the day you made it.

Reheating

This cake is best served chilled or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If your kitchen is cold, I just let it sit out for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and bring out the flavors.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Jack-o’-Lantern Cake Recipe has quickly become my go-to Halloween treat because it hits the perfect balance between adorable and delicious without requiring crazy skills. When I first made it, my family went crazy for the clever design, and even folks who aren’t big cake fans asked for seconds. If you love celebrating the season with fun baking projects, I can’t recommend this enough — it’s a fantastic way to bring that pumpkin patch magic indoors, and I’m sure you’ll get just as much joy making and eating it as I do!

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