Halloween Layer Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pure Orange Extract
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
  • 10 drops yellow food coloring
  • 6 drops red food coloring
  • FROSTING:
  • 3 packages (3 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 5-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 8 drops yellow food coloring
  • 6 drops red food coloring
  • GLAZE:
  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Candy corn for garnish
  • 2 of 2

    Halloween Layer Cake (continued)

    Ingredients (continued)

    • Candy corn for garnish

    Directions

    • In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs,
one at a time, beating well after each. Combine flour, baking powder
    and salt; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Mix well.
      Combine cocoa, water and vanilla; stir in 2 cups cake batter.

        • Pour into a greased and floured 9-in. round baking pan. Add orange
        extract, peel and food coloring to remaining batter. Pour into two
          greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30
            minutes or until cake tests done. Cool for 10 minutes before
              removing from pans to wire racks.

                • In a bowl, beat all frosting ingredients until smooth. Place one
                orange cake layer on a cake plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top
                  with chocolate layer; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with second
                    orange layer. Frost the sides and top of each.

                      • Microwave chocolate and cream on high 1-1/2 minutes or, stirring
                      once. Stir until smooth; let cool 2 minutes. Slowly pour over cake,
                        letting glaze drizzle down sides. Garnish with candy corn. Yield:
                          12-16 servings.

                            • Nutritional Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 529 calories, 18 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 99 mg cholesterol, 307 mg sodium, 89 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein.