Halloween Purple Cake with Jack Skellington Decorations

Ingredients

• • 2 ⅞ cups all-purpose flour
• • 1 ⅞ cups granulated sugar
• • ⅞ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• • 3 ⅞ large eggs
• • 1 ⅞ cup whole milk
• • 1 ⅞ tsp baking powder
• • 1 ⅞ tsp vanilla extract
• • ⅞ tsp salt
• • 2 ⅞ tbsp purple food coloring (gel)
• • 4 ⅞ cups powdered sugar
• • ⅞ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• • ⅞ cup heavy cream
• • ⅞ tsp purple food coloring (for frosting)
• • ⅞ cup cocoa powder
• • 2 ⅞ tbsp granulated sugar
• • 2 ⅞ tbsp water
• • ⅞ tsp black food coloring
• • 1 ⅞ Jack Skellington figurine
• • 6 ⅞ mini pumpkins
• • 2 ⅞ yellow '18' cake toppers

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round pans. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and 1 tbsp purple food coloring. In another bowl, mix butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then add remaining purple food coloring.

2. 2

   Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely on wire racks.

3. 3

   Beat softened butter with electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in heavy cream and purple food coloring until smooth and spreadable.

4. 4

   In a saucepan, whisk cocoa powder, sugar, water, and black food coloring. Cook over low heat until thickened (5-7 minutes). Let cool slightly before drizzling.

5. 5

   Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top. Add second layer and frost the top and sides evenly.

6. 6

   Pipe purple frosting swirls around the base. Drizzle black chocolate sauce over the top. Place Jack Skellington figurine, mini pumpkins, and yellow '18' toppers as decorations.