Best Halloween Bundt Cake for a Spooky Party

What I love about this easy Halloween cake is that it looks like it is bleeding! It’s a fun white cake mix recipe with loads of chocolate ganache flavor.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Easy 5 Ingredient Ghost Halloween Cupcakes: A Spooky Treat as well!

What Are Bundt Cakes?

Bundt cakes are distinctive baked goods recognized for their unique ring shape. This doughnut-shaped design is credited to the Bundt pan in which they are baked, initially inspired by a traditional European cake called Gugelhupf. 

Bundt cakes are versatile and can be made with various ingredients, resulting in enticing flavors and textures. They are often glazed or dusted with powdered sugar, and their impressive shape makes them an attractive centerpiece for any occasion. 

Despite their ornate appearance, Bundt cakes are surprisingly easy to prepare, making them popular for casual and formal gatherings.

Why You’ll Love this Spooky Halloween Bundt Cake Recipe

What I love about this easy Halloween cake is that it looks like it’s bleeding! It’s a super fun white cake mix recipe with loads of chocolate ganache flavor.

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Easy 5 Ingredient Ghost Halloween Cupcakes: A Spooky Treat as well!

Ingredients For A Halloween Bundt Cake

• Vanilla cake mix: This is the base of our cake. A box cake mix is a reliable choice as it conserves time and ensures consistency in the texture of your cake.
• Eggs: The eggs function as a binding agent, helping all the ingredients come together. Be sure to use electric beaters for perfect blending.
• Whole milk: The milk offers a creamy consistency and a hint of sweetness to the cake. You’re welcome to substitute with other types of milk as per your dietary preferences.
• Unsalted sweet cream butter: This ingredient adds richness and moistness to our Bundt cake. Ensure it’s melted and cooled slightly before use to prevent it from cooking the eggs.
• Red gel food coloring: This gives our Halloween Bundt cake a spooky, ‘bleeding’ effect. You can switch this out with black gel food coloring for a darker, more Gothic vibe.
• Heavy cream: The cream provides a luxurious texture and enhances the overall flavor of the cake. Mix well to ensure it’s evenly distributed.
• White chocolate chips: Add a delightful sweetness and contrasting color to our Halloween treat. The chips will melt slightly during baking, creating pockets of gooey deliciousness.
• Dark chocolate chips: Dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips balance out the sweetness of the cake with a hint of bitterness. They also contribute to the cake’s rich, chocolatey flavor.
• Stroopwafel: This unique addition gives the cake a caramel-like flavor and a subtle crunch. Be careful not to snack on it all before it makes it into the mix!

Substitutions And Variations

• Use chocolate cake mix – If you want to change the cool cake look, use a different cake mix. You can also add food coloring to make orange batter or even purple batter. The options are endless.
• Replace whole milk with almond milk – For a dairy-free alternative, you can replace whole milk with unsweetened almond milk. This substitution will also add a mild, nutty flavor to the cake.
• Substitute unsalted sweet cream butter with coconut oil – If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly option, coconut oil can replace butter. It will impart a subtly sweet, tropical flavor to the cake and keep it moist.
• Alternative to red gel food coloring – Beetroot juice can be a natural alternative to red gel food coloring. It will provide vibrant color and a slightly earthy taste, which can be a nice counterbalance to the sweetness of the cake.
• White chocolate chips substitute – You can replace white chocolate chips with milk chocolate or butterscotch chips for a different flavor profile.
• Dark chocolate chips substitute – For a less intense flavor, substitute dark chocolate chips with milk chocolate chips, or for a nutty flavor, try peanut butter chips.
• Consider adding nuts – Consider enhancing the cake’s texture by adding chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds. They provide a delightful crunch and a boost of protein.
• Add spices – For a warmer, more autumnal flavor, consider adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice to the batter.

How To Make a Festive Halloween Bundt Cake

Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9in 12 C bundt pan with pam baking spray.

Step Two: Using a large bowl and hand beater, beat the cake mix, eggs, milk, and butter until combined and smooth. Divide the cake batter into two separate bowls.

Mix 4-7 drops of red gel food coloring into one of the cake mix bowls. Pour about ¼ of the none colored cake batter into the bundt pan.

Drop dollops of the red cake batter over the other batter and swirl lightly with a butterknife. Pour another ¼ of the none colored batter on top of the other batter.

Drop more dollops of the red cake batter on top and swirl some more. Repeat until all the batter has been combined into the bundt pan.

Step Three: Bake in the oven for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cooling in the bundt pan for 15 minutes before flipping onto a flat serving platter or cooling rack.

Step Four: Using a small pot, bring the 1 ½ C heavy whipping cream to a rolling simmer. Whisk in a few drops of the red gel food coloring and whisk until combined. Add in a few more drops of red to get the correct shade of red for blood.

Pour the hot, heavy whipping cream over the 3 C white chocolate chips and let sit for a few minutes before whisking until smooth. Allow cooling for about 10 minutes while occasionally whisking to avoid crusting on top.

Step Five: Once the cake has cooled completely, pour about ¾ of the red, white chocolate ganache into the center opening of the bundt cake. Carefully and slowly place the stroopwafel over the center of the bundt cake.

Allow the red ganache to set for about 10 more minutes. Using a small pot, bring the 1 C of heavy whipping cream to a rolling simmer and pour over the dark chocolate chips.

Step Six: Allow to sit for 5 minutes before whisking until smooth. Pour the chocolate ganache over the cake, completely covering the center.

Reheat the leftover red chocolate ganache and mix every 15 seconds until the ganache is thin and runny. Dip a fork into the red ganache and flick with your wrist, creating a splatter look all over the cake.

Allow to set for 15 minutes before enjoying.

Expert Tips

• Use a butter knife for swirling: To create an artistic swirling effect in your cake, use a butter knife. It provides better control, and the flat edge blends the colors without mixing them all.
• Monitor the baking process: All ovens are different. Start checking the cake with a toothpick about 10 minutes before the recommended baking time to prevent over-baking.
• Stroopwafel Placement: Be gentle when placing the stroopwafel. Add it only when you’re sure the ganache has thickened enough to support its weight; otherwise, it might sink.
• Ganache consistency: If your ganache thickens too much before you’re ready to use it, gently reheat it while stirring until you achieve the desired consistency.
• Cake Cooling: Always let your cake cool completely before you glaze it. Glazing a warm cake can cause the ganache to melt and slide off.
• Blood Splatter: Practice your flicking technique on a piece of parchment paper before moving on to the actual cake for a realistic blood splatter effect.

Storing Tips

This fun monster bundt cake makes more than enough leftovers! Just store once the cake cools and add to an airtight container. You can keep it at room temperature or place it in the fridge.

Eat within 3-4 days for best results.

You can freeze the Bundt cake before applying the ganache. Once the cake has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw the cake overnight at room temperature before applying the ganache and serving.

What To Serve With Halloween Bundt Cakes

With its festive colors and flavors, a Halloween Bundt Cake makes a delightful centerpiece for your Halloween party table and pairs well with various other treats, beverages, and Halloween games, too! Some suggestions include:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: The warm, autumnal flavors of a pumpkin spice latte make it a great beverage choice to accompany this cake. This creamy, spiced drink between cake bites can enhance the overall tasting experience.
• Mulled Apple Cider: A mug of hot apple cider, with its sweet and tart flavor, is another beverage that pairs well with the rich, chocolatey cake.
• Halloween Candy: Offering a variety of Halloween candies alongside the cake allows guests to enjoy a mix of flavors and textures. Popular choices include candy corn, gummy worms, and chocolate bars.
• Savory Halloween Snacks: To balance out the sweetness of the cake, consider serving some savory snacks, like Mummy Jalapeno Poppers, popcorn, pretzels, or cheese and crackers.
• Seasonal Fruits: Fresh fruit, particularly fall fruits like apples, pears, and plums, can add a refreshing element to the dessert table.

Recipe FAQs

More Halloween Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Halloween Cookie Bars
• Halloween Oreo Cake Bars
• Red Velvet Halloween Spider Cookies 
• Meringue Bones
• See all our Halloween recipes!