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–+ servings

Brain Cake

This spooky yet delicious brain cake is perfect for Halloween or themed parties. It features soft cake layers shaped into a brain and decorated with realistic pink frosting folds and red gel for a creepy but fun effect. Easy to customize and guaranteed to wow your guests!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Serving Size 10 People

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Frosting and Decoration:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • Pink food coloring
  • Red food coloring
  • 1 tube red decorating gel
  • 1 cup raspberry jam optional, for filling

Alternate Cake Base (Boxed Option):

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup water
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Mix in vanilla extract.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
  • Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
  • While cakes cool, make frosting: beat 1 cup butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and a few drops of pink food coloring until smooth.
  • Once cool, trim and carve cakes into a domed brain shape using a serrated knife.
  • Place cake on a tray. Spread a layer of frosting over entire surface.
  • Fill piping bag with pink frosting and pipe squiggly brain folds across the top and sides of the cake.
  • Add drips of red gel or raspberry jam between folds for a gory effect.
  • Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.