Description
Celebrate Halloween with this fun and festive Stenciled Halloween Sprinkle Cake, featuring a moist vanilla cake loaded with colorful sprinkles and topped with creamy, tinted buttercream frosting. Finished with spooky stencil designs dusted in powdered sugar or cocoa powder, this cake is perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup Halloween-themed sprinkles (jimmies or confetti-style)
For the buttercream frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Gel food coloring (orange, purple, or black as desired)
For decorating:
- Halloween stencil (bat, pumpkin, ghost, etc.)
- Powdered sugar or cocoa powder (for dusting)
- Extra Halloween sprinkles
Instructions
- Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Gently fold in Halloween sprinkles. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake the cake: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk or cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Tint the frosting with gel food coloring as desired.
- Assemble the cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting evenly on top, then place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing the surface as much as possible. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before decorating.
- Decorate: Gently place your chosen Halloween stencil over the chilled cake top. Lightly dust powdered sugar or cocoa powder over the stencil, then carefully lift it straight up to reveal the design. Add extra Halloween sprinkles around the bottom edge or on the sides of the cake if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the frosting is slightly firm and chilled before using the stencil for cleaner, sharper lines.
- This cake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Bring the cake to room temperature before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
- Use a gentle hand when dusting the stencil to avoid smudging the design.
- The recipe can be customized with different festive sprinkles or stencil shapes to fit your Halloween theme.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
