Introduction

This Easy Halloween Bundt Cake is a festive and fun dessert perfect for spooky celebrations. With bright orange, black, and white layers and colorful icing, it’s as eye-catching as it is delicious. It’s simple to make using a cake mix and a few creative touches.

The image shows a slice of bundt cake on a white plate with black polka dots, placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has three main layers inside: a top layer of dark black, a middle layer of creamy off-white with swirls of bright orange, and an outer drizzle of icing in orange, black, and white colors running down the sides. Small black sprinkles are scattered on the icing. In the background, the rest of the cake sits on a white cake stand, decorated with the same icing colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 white cake mix
Water, eggs, and oil as listed on cake mix box

3 Tbsp. dark cocoa powder
1 16 oz. can white frosting

Orange food coloring gel
Black food coloring gel

Halloween sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a bundt pan with baking spray to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
Step 2: Prepare the white cake batter according to the directions on the box.

Step 3: Remove 1 cup of cake batter into a separate bowl. Repeat with another cup of cake batter, so you have two small separate portions aside from the main batter.
Step 4: Add orange food coloring gel to one cup of batter. Mix well until you achieve a bold orange color.
Step 5: To the second cup of batter, stir in 2 tablespoons of dark cocoa powder. Add black food coloring gel until the batter reaches a deep black color.

Step 6: Pour the black batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared bundt pan. Next, pour the plain white batter gently on top. Finally, pour the orange batter over the white layer. Do not stir or swirl the layers.
Step 7: Bake according to the cake mix instructions, usually around 40–50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 8: Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove it and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9: For the icing, microwave the entire can of white frosting for 10–15 seconds to soften.
Step 10: Place the cooled cake on a wire rack set over a cookie sheet or waxed paper to catch drips. Drizzle your desired amount of plain frosting over the cake using a spoon.
Step 11: Color about half of the remaining frosting orange and drizzle it over the cake in a decorative pattern.

Step 12: To the remaining frosting, add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and black food coloring gel, stirring well. Microwave briefly if needed to reach a drizzling consistency, adding a little milk if too thick. Drizzle the black frosting over the cake.
Step 13: Sprinkle Halloween sprinkles over the frosting while still soft. Allow the icing to set before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without thinning your batter.

If you prefer less sweetness, use half the can of frosting or try cream cheese frosting for a tangier option.
Try adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the white batter for a fresh citrus twist.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If refrigerated, bring the cake to room temperature before serving for the best texture. Leftover cake can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to one month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

How to Serve

A round bundt cake with a light brown base sits on a white cake stand with a smooth, glossy surface. The cake is covered with thick drizzles of orange, black, and white icing that flow unevenly from the top to the sides, creating a striped pattern. There are small, round sprinkles in orange, black, and white scattered on the icing and around the cake stand. The background has a white marbled texture, and a black and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can substitute any white or yellow cake mix. Chocolate cake mix may change the color layers but still taste delicious.

How do I prevent the layers from mixing together?

Pour each colored batter gently and avoid stirring once layered in the pan. This helps keep distinct colors and layers clear after baking.