Candy Filled Ghost Cake Food

CANDY-FILLED GHOST CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 8 x 3-inch cake pans line the bottom of each pan with parchment.
• Whisk flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl.
• Place oil and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in eggs one at a time. With machine on low, very slowly add red food coloring and vanilla (Take care: it may splash.) Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in two batches. Scrape down bowl and beat just long enough to combine.
• Place baking soda in a small dish, stir in vinegar and add the mixture to batter with the machine running. Beat for 10 seconds.
• Divide batter among cake pans, place in oven and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until soft. Add the powdered sugar, cream cheese, salt and vanilla. Beat on medium high until light and fluffy about 5 minutes.
• Once the cakes are cooled, cut the tops of the cakes level, reserve the scraps. Divide each cake evenly into two layers. Using a 3 or 3 ½ inch cookie cutter, punch out the center of two of the cake layers. Reserve the scraps.
• Place one of the whole cake layers on the cake board or plate and spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Place the second whole cake layer on top. Pipe or spread a ring of frosting on the outside of the top layer and add one of the punched layers on top. Pipe or spread a layer of frosting on top of the ring of cake and add the final punched layer. Apply a thin coat of frosting around the sides of the cake.
• Line the bowl with plastic wrap letting it come up over the sides. Add a little bit of cream cheese frosting to the bottom of the bowl and spread it up the sides. Place pieces of the cake scraps into the bowl to approximate layers, adding frosting as needed. Make a 3 to 3 ½ inch hole in the center of the bowl (to match up with the hole in the center of the layer cake). Place the bowl in the freezer for 3 hours. Place the cake in the fridge. Keep the remaining frosting covered at room temperature until ready to finish assembly.
• Remove the cakes from the fridge and freezer. Using the plastic wrap to help, pull the cake dome out of the bowl. Remove the plastic wrap.
• Fill both holes with the candy. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top ring of the layer cake. Flip the dome of cake on top. To prevent the candy from falling out of the top, I recommend placing a piece of cardboard over the bottom of the cake dome, flipping it upside-down, using the cardboard to prevent spillage then sliding the cardboard out once the dome is almost touching the base cake.
• Using the remaining frosting to smooth out and even the entire cake. Place cake in the fridge or freezer to firm while you get the decorations ready.
• Roll out the black fondant to ¼ inch think, spread the top with sanding sugar then use the rolling pin to press it inches Cut out desired eyes and mouth.
• Roll the white fondant, using cornstarch to prevent sticking, to ¼ inch thick in a roughly 16-inch circle.
• Remove the cake from the fridge. Roll the fondant around the rolling pin and place over the cake. Using corn starch on your hands, work the fondant down from the top, letting it drape and form ghost like pleats.
• Use water to adhere the eyes and mouth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

STUFFED CANDY CORN CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with parchment.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the milk, vanilla, eggs and egg yolk together in another medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add about a third of the flour mixture and beat on medium-low until incorporated. Now add a third of the egg-milk mixture and continue to beat on medium-low until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Repeat with another third of the flour, then all of the egg-milk mixture and finishing with the flour.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake until the cake has a nice golden brown crust around the edge, bounces back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the cake pans on a rack.
• For the frosting: Combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, milk and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until all the sugar is blended into the butter. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Remove 3 tablespoons frosting and place it in a small bowl; leave this frosting plain. Remove another 3/4 cup frosting, place in another bowl and dye with the orange food coloring. Dye the remaining 3 3/4 cups frosting in the mixing bowl with the yellow food coloring. Fill a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip with the yellow frosting. Fill a second piping bag fitted with a tip with the orange frosting.
• Assemble the cake: Cut a 4-inch circle out of the center of one cake layer (reserve or discard the cut-out cake). Put the cake ring on a spinning cake stand or serving platter and frost the top with about 1/2 cup of the yellow frosting. Fill the hole with the candy corn. Put the other cake layer on top, so that the rounded side of the cake is facing up; push down gently to sandwich the two cake layers together.
• Pipe a ring of yellow frosting along the outside edge of the cake. Pipe a second ring just inside it so they are touching. Pipe the remaining yellow frosting onto the sides of the cake, making sure to connect it to the frosting ring on the top of the cake. Using a large offset spatula, flatten the icing on the side of the cake to frost the outside until smooth.
• Pipe 3 concentric touching rings of orange frosting just inside the yellow rings. Spoon the reserved white frosting on the center of the cake and spread it flat so that it touches the orange frosting.
• Position the tip of a large offset spatula in the center of the cake so the length of the blade looks like a radius and touches the top of all three frostings. Using one continuous, circular motion with gentle pressure (using a spinning cake stand will help), spread the frostings flat on the top of the cake so they form stripes (some of the frosting will come off with the spatula; do not try to reapply it). Let the cake stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

EASY GHOST CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat one 9-inch round cake pan and one 9-inch square cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom of each with parchment paper; lightly coat the paper with nonstick spray.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl until combined. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, oil and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs and yolks one at a time, beating to blend between additions and occasionally scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl until the batter is completely combined, smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Smooth the tops. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until the cakes are a light golden brown and a tester inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the cakes cool for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes and invert onto the wire rack. Remove the parchment and let the cakes cool completely.
• For the frosting: Meanwhile, beat the butter in a stand mixer on medium-high speed until very creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Mix the milk, vanilla and salt in a liquid measuring cup, then add it to the butter. Mix slowly on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat until very smooth. Add half of the confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until just combined. Scrape the bowl again with a rubber spatula. Add the remaining confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then mix on medium-low speed until fluffy and well combined, about 5 minutes. Transfer 1/2 cup of the frosting to a small bowl and mix in black gel food coloring until very pigmented. Set both bowls of frosting aside at room temperature until ready to assemble the cake.
• For assembling: Once the cakes have cooled completely, place the square cake, domed-side down, in the center of a large cutting board or platter (this will be the body of the ghost). Place the round cake domed-side down and cut in half with a sharp knife into 2 half-moons. Place one half-moon above the square cake with the cut-side adjoining the body (this will be the head of the ghost). Repeat with the other half-moon below the body (this will be the bottom of the ghost from which two arms will be cut). Next, cut a scalloped edge of 3 curves, each about 2 inches wide, into the bottom of the ghost, keeping the cake scrap intact as one piece. Then cut two oval-shaped arms from that cake scrap. Place one arm on each side of the ghost's body. There should be minimal cake scraps left; enjoy or save for another use.
• Use a little white frosting to help adhere the head, bottom and arms to the body. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining white frosting, smoothing out the top with an offset spatula. Transfer the black frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small round pastry tip; pipe two eyes and a mouth onto the ghost. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

PEEPS® GHOSTS IN A GRAVEYARD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms of pans with cooking parchment paper, if desired, to prevent sticking.
• Make and bake cake as directed on box for two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, use black and orange gel or icing to write RIP on oval-shaped cookies and miniature candy bars; set aside.
• On serving plate, place 1 cake layer, rounded side down. Frost top of cake layer with about 1/3 cup of the chocolate frosting. Top with second layer, rounded side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting.
• Sprinkle chocolate cookie crumbs on top of cake to make dirt. Insert cookies and candy bars into top of cake for tombstones. Insert 1 end of toothpick into bottom of each ghost-shaped marshmallow. Insert other end into top of cake.
• Break 8 of the pretzel sticks into thirds. Use whole pretzels and pretzel thirds to make a fence around edge of cake as shown in photo.

SPOOKY HALLOWEEN GHOST CAKE

Steps:

• PREPARE cake batter as directed on package. Add dry pudding mix; mix well. Spoon evenly into 12 paper-lined medium muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• BEAT cream cheese, butter and vanilla in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.
• Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition.
• ARRANGE cupcakes on large serving platter or tray to resemble a ghost as shown in diagram (http://www.kraftfoods.com/pdf/GhostCupcake.pdf). Spread with frosting. Use decorating gel to outline the mouth on the cupcakes.
• Finely crush 3 of the cookies; sprinkle inside mouth.
• Place remaining 2 cookies on cupcakes to resemble eyes.
• To make a bigger ghost, double the amount of cupcakes you make.
• Store in refrigerator.

GHOST-BUSTED PIñATA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 8 x 3-inch cake pans line the bottom of each pan with parchment.
• Whisk flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl.
• Place oil and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat at medium speed until well blended. Beat in eggs one at a time. With machine on low, very slowly add red food coloring and vanilla (Take care: it may splash.) Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in two batches. Scrape down bowl and beat just long enough to combine.
• Place baking soda in a small dish, stir in vinegar and add the mixture to batter with the machine running. Beat for 10 seconds.
• Divide batter among cake pans, place in oven and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until soft. Add the powdered sugar, cream cheese, salt and vanilla. Beat on medium high until light and fluffy about 5 minutes.
• Once the cakes are cooled, cut the tops of the cakes level, reserve the scraps. Divide each cake evenly into two layers. Using a 3 or 3 ½-inch cookie cutter, punch out the center of two of the cake layers. Reserve the scraps.
• Place 1 of the whole cake layers on the cake board or plate and spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting on top. Place the second whole cake layer on top. Pipe or spread a ring of frosting on the outside of the top layer and add one of the punched layers on top. Pipe or spread a layer of frosting on top of the ring of cake and add the final punched layer. Apply a thin coat of frosting around the sides of the cake.
• Line the bowl with plastic wrap letting it come up over the sides. Add a little bit of cream cheese frosting to the bottom of the bowl and spread it up the sides. Place pieces of the cake scraps into the bowl to approximate layers, adding frosting as needed. Make a 3 to 3 ½ inch hole in the center of the bowl (to match up with the hole in the center of the layer cake). Place the bowl in the freezer for 3 hours. Place the cake in the fridge. Keep the remaining frosting covered at room temperature until ready to finish assembly.
• Remove the cakes from the fridge and freezer. Using the plastic wrap to help, pull the cake dome out of the bowl. Remove the plastic wrap.
• Fill both holes with the candy. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top ring of the layer cake. Flip the dome of cake on top. To prevent the candy from falling out of the top, I recommend placing a piece of cardboard over the bottom of the cake dome, flipping it upside-down, using the cardboard to prevent spillage then sliding the cardboard out once the dome is almost touching the base cake.
• Use the remaining frosting to smooth out and even the entire cake. Place cake in the fridge or freezer to firm while you get the decorations ready.
• Roll out the black fondant to ¼ inch think, spread the top with sanding sugar then use the rolling pin to press it inches Cut out desired eyes and mouth.
• Roll the white fondant, using cornstarch to prevent sticking, to ¼ inch thick in a roughly 16-inch circle.
• Remove the cake from the fridge. Roll the fondant around the rolling pin and place over the cake. Using corn starch on your hands, work the fondant down from the top, letting it drape and form ghost-like pleats.
• Use water to adhere the eyes and mouth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

GHOST CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs and water; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour 2-1/4 cups batter into each of two greased and floured 6-in. round baking pans (discard remaining batter). Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder. In a large bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer, combine the shortening, water and vanilla. Beat in sugar mixture (mixture will be stiff)., Using a serrated knife, level tops of cakes. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread 1-1/2 cups frosting over top and sides of cake., Cut fondant block in half lengthwise so that one half is slightly larger than the other. Tint the larger half orange; set aside a small amount of orange fondant for pumpkins. Cover fondant with plastic wrap when not in use. On a clean work surface, roll out remaining orange fondant into a 14-in. circle. Slide an icing knife between fondant and work surface to loosen; transfer to cake. Smooth top and sides of cake. Trim any overlapping fondant with a pizza cutter., For ghost: Form a 2-1/4 in. tall cone from white fondant; attach to cake with additional vanilla. Roll a 1/2-in. cube of fondant into a 6-in. circle. Drape over cone. Tint a small amount of fondant black. Form three small dots; attach to face of ghost., For pumpkins, leaves and tendrils: Tint reserved orange fondant a darker shade of orange with red coloring. Using dark orange and/or white fondant, form five pumpkins; add imprint lines with a veining tool or toothpick. For stems, tint a very small amount of white fondant brown. Shape into stems; attach to pumpkins using vanilla. Tint a 1-in. cube of white fondant green. Roll out; cut five leaves with a 1-1/4-in. leaf-shaped cookie cutter. For tendrils, using a pizza cutter cut remaining portion into thin strips. Carefully wrap strips around toothpicks; set aside to dry., To finish cake: Carefully remove tendrils from toothpicks and attach to pumpkins using vanilla. Attach pumpkins and leaves to cake. Using shell pastry tip #18 and remaining frosting, pipe shell border along bottom edge of cake.