Frankenstein Cake

If you’re looking for a fun and festive dessert to wow your guests this Halloween, look no further than this delightful Frankenstein Cake! This cake isn’t just a feast for the eyes with its vibrant green layers and playful decorations; it’s also incredibly moist and flavorful. The combination of green velvet cake and rich cream cheese buttercream makes it a favorite in my household, perfect for family gatherings, parties, or even just a cozy evening at home.

Baking this Frankenstein Cake is an enjoyable experience that brings everyone together. Kids can help decorate, and adults will love the deliciousness of each slice. It’s the kind of recipe that creates lasting memories while satisfying your sweet tooth!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: Even if you’re a beginner baker, this Frankenstein Cake comes together smoothly without any fuss.
• Family-Friendly Fun: Kids love helping with the decorations, making it a great project for family bonding.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Halloween or a birthday party, this cake fits right in and adds excitement to your celebrations.
• Delicious Flavor: The combination of cocoa powder and cream cheese buttercream creates a deliciously unique taste that everyone will adore.
• Make-Ahead Option: You can bake the layers in advance and frost them later, making it convenient for busy schedules!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun! For this Frankenstein Cake, you’ll be using simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully. Here’s what you need:

For the Cake Layers

• 2 1/2 cups cake flour (300g)
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (10g)
• 1 tsp baking soda (6g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (350g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature (300g)
• 2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil (145g)
• 2 squirts of green gel food coloring (or 1 Tbsp liquid food coloring)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (8g)
• 1 tsp white vinegar (4g)

For the Cream Cheese Buttercream

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (339g – 3 sticks)
• 1/2 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (113g or 4 oz.)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (12g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 8 cups powdered sugar (1000g)
• 2 Tbsp heavy whipping cream, room temperature (30g)

Decorating Supplies

You’ll also need:
* Electric Green Gel Food Coloring
* Black Gel Food Coloring
* 10-inch greaseproof cake board
* Spinning Cake Stand
* Small offset spatula
* 1 Large Piping Bag
* 3 Small Piping Bags
* 2 Large Round Piping Tips (like a Wilton 2A)
* 1 Small Round Piping Tip (like a Wilton 12)
* 1 Tiny Piping Tip (like a Wilton 3)

Variations

The beauty of this Frankenstein Cake is how flexible it is! You can get creative with flavors and decorations. Here are some fun ideas to switch things up:

• Change Up the Colors: Use different gel food colors to create other spooky characters like mummies or ghosts!
• Add Flavor Extracts: Swap out the vanilla extract for almond or orange extract in the batter for an exciting twist on flavor.
• Play with Textures: Add crushed cookies or candy pieces into the frosting for an extra crunch that kids will love.
• Make Cupcakes Instead: Bake the batter in cupcake liners instead of cake pans for easy individual servings.

How to Make Frankenstein Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans

First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pans with butter and line them with parchment paper. This ensures easy removal later on.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps ensure even distribution of leavening agents throughout your batter.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In another bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial because incorporating air into the mixture helps create a tender cake.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

Add in your eggs one at a time followed by buttermilk, oil, green gel food coloring, vanilla extract, and vinegar. Mix until well combined. The vinegar reacts with baking soda to give your cake that lovely lift!

Step 5: Combine Mixtures

Gradually add your dry mixture into the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Be careful not to overmix; you want it just combined for a soft texture.

Step 6: Bake Your Cakes

Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake them in your preheated oven for about 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Make Your Cream Cheese Buttercream

In another bowl, beat together unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar along with heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency—smooth but spreadable.

Step 8: Frost Your Cake

Once cooled completely, place one layer on your cake board. Spread some frosting on top before adding another layer. Repeat until all layers are stacked! Use remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of your cake.

Step 9: Get Creative with Decorations

Now comes the fun part! Use colored gel icing to create Frankenstein’s features like his hair and facial expressions. Get creative—this is where you can really make it shine!

With these steps complete, you’ll have an amazing Frankenstein Cake that’s sure to impress everyone at your Halloween celebration! Enjoy every bite!

Pro Tips for Making Frankenstein Cake

Creating a show-stopping Frankenstein cake is easier than you might think! Here are some pro tips to ensure your cake turns out spooktacularly delicious.

• Sift your dry ingredients: This helps to aerate the flour and cocoa powder, leading to a lighter, fluffier cake. Sifting also removes any lumps that may be present.
• Use room temperature ingredients: Ensuring that your butter, eggs, and buttermilk are at room temperature allows them to mix more easily and evenly, resulting in a smooth batter that bakes beautifully.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Once you combine the dry and wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake that’s not as enjoyable to eat.
• Chill your buttercream: If your cream cheese buttercream becomes too soft while decorating, simply pop it in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to work with and help maintain its shape when piped.
• Plan for decoration ahead of time: Sketch out your design or have an idea of how you want your Frankenstein cake to look before you start decorating. This will make the process smoother and less stressful!

How to Serve Frankenstein Cake

When it comes time to serve this fun Halloween treat, presentation is key! Here are some ideas for creating a memorable dessert experience.

Garnishes

• Green sprinkles: Add a playful touch by sprinkling green sugar or confetti sprinkles on top of the cake for an extra spooky effect.
• Candy eyes: Place edible candy eyes on top of the cake or around the base for an eye-catching (and fun) decoration that ties into the Halloween theme.

Side Dishes

• Witch’s Brew Punch: A refreshing green punch made with limeade, soda, and floating gummy worms that complements the spooky theme.
• Ghostly Meringues: Light and airy meringue cookies shaped like little ghosts add a whimsical touch alongside your cake.
• Monster Fruit Skewers: Skewer assorted fruits like grapes, melon, and strawberries onto sticks, topped with mini chocolate chips for eyes – these are both healthy and fun!
• Pumpkin Spice Cookies: Soft cookies spiced with pumpkin pie flavor offer a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the cake while keeping with the fall theme.

With these serving ideas and tips in hand, your Frankenstein cake will not only taste fantastic but also impress everyone at your Halloween gathering! Enjoy making this delightful dessert; it’s bound to be a hit.

Make Ahead and Storage

This Frankenstein Cake is not just a fun dessert for Halloween; it’s also perfect for meal prep! You can easily make the cake layers and buttercream ahead of time, making it a fantastic option for parties or gatherings.

Storing Leftovers

• Allow the cake to cool completely before storing.
• Place any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• If you have cut pieces, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in the container.

Freezing

• To freeze, wrap the cooled cake layers individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag.
• For best quality, use within 2-3 months.
• Cream cheese buttercream can also be frozen; store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

• If your cake has been frozen, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• For a slice of cake that needs a little warmth, microwave it on low power for about 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Have questions? We’ve got you covered with some common inquiries about this delightful Frankenstein Cake!

How can I make my Frankenstein Cake more festive?

You can add fun decorations like candy eyes or chocolate sprinkles to enhance the Halloween theme. Don’t forget to use vibrant green frosting to bring your Frankenstein character to life!

What are some tips for decorating my Frankenstein Cake?

When decorating your Frankenstein Cake, ensure you have all your colors ready. Use black gel food coloring for facial features and electric green gel food coloring for the base. A large piping bag helps create smooth edges!

Can I use different food coloring for my Frankenstein Cake?

Absolutely! While green is traditional, you can experiment with other colors to create unique versions of your Frankenstein Cake. Just remember that gel food coloring gives the best results!

How do I make sure my layers are even when baking my Frankenstein Cake?

To ensure even layers, use kitchen scales to measure your batter into each cake pan. Additionally, tap the pans gently on the counter before baking to release any air bubbles.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making this delightful Frankenstein Cake as much as I do! It’s not only a treat that brings smiles but also a wonderful way to celebrate Halloween with friends and family. Remember, it’s all about having fun in the kitchen and creating memories. Happy baking, and may your spooky celebrations be filled with joy!