Description
A spooky and decadent layered chocolate cake frosted with black cocoa buttercream and decorated with a dramatic spider web design for the perfect Halloween centerpiece.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
1 cup (240ml) strong black coffee, cooled
½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
4 oz (113g) dark chocolate, melted and cooled
For the Black Cocoa Buttercream:
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
¾ cup (75g) black cocoa powder
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
For the Spider Web Decoration:
4 oz white chocolate, melted
OR 2 tablespoons marshmallow fluff, warmed
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round pans and line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, then add buttermilk, coffee, oil, and melted chocolate. Mix until smooth.
4. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 28–32 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
7. Beat butter 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
8. Sift powdered sugar and black cocoa together. Gradually add to butter, alternating with cream.
9. Beat in vanilla and salt. Adjust consistency with more cream or sugar if needed.
10. Level cake layers if necessary. Place one cake layer on serving plate and spread 1 cup buttercream on top.
11. Stack the second layer and apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream. Chill 30 minutes.
12. Frost cake smoothly with remaining buttercream.
13. Melt white chocolate or warm marshmallow fluff and transfer to a piping bag.
14. Pipe 4–5 concentric circles on top of cake.
15. Drag a skewer from center outward to edge, spacing evenly around cake.
16. Between each spoke, drag from edge inward to create a spider web effect.
Notes
Expert Note: Using both melted chocolate and cocoa powder creates a deep, complex flavor. The coffee enhances the chocolate without leaving a coffee taste.
Expert Note: Black cocoa powder gives the buttercream a natural dark color without relying on food gel.
Pro Tip: Wipe your skewer clean after each drag to keep the spider web lines crisp and defined.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American