Spiderweb Chocolate Cake has been a centerpiece in my kitchen every October. The first time I baked one, I remember the thrill of pulling a glossy black-and-white cake Halloween design from the oven, ready to surprise my friends at a Halloween party. The dark chocolate layers carried a rich, velvety taste while the cobweb frosting design added a playful, spooky cake design. What I loved most was how simple it was—ready in under two hours yet elegant enough to pass as a gothic cake centerpiece. If you’ve been searching for the best Halloween spider cake or how to make a decorated spider cake at home, this is the one.
Why You’ll Love This Spiderweb Chocolate Cake
- Moist, rich, and full of chocolatey flavor
- A stunning spooky cake design with minimal effort
- Perfect as a kids’ Halloween cake or an elegant Halloween cake centerpiece
- Beginner-friendly—frosting tricks create a cobweb cake in minutes
- Budget-friendly with pantry staples
Fun Fact: Cobweb cakes first appeared in vintage American cookbooks as Halloween party cakes, evolving from simple drizzled designs into full chocolate spider web cakes with edible decorations. Today, they’re both spooky and stylish, perfect for gatherings.
For more fall-inspired treats, you’ll also love the Creepy Crunchy Monster Candy Bark or soft Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies.
Ingredients for Spiderweb Chocolate Cake
For the Cake:
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 ½ cup strong hot coffee
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
For the Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups unsalted butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 lb confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- ⅓ cup fudge (good quality)
- ⅓ cup white chocolate, melted
For the Spider:
- 1 brown peanut M&M
- 1 brown M&M
- 2 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate, melted
Optional add-ins: A splash of espresso for richer flavor or food-safe glitter for a more elegant Halloween cake finish.
If you enjoy creative sweets, check out Pumpkin Fudge or crunchy Apple Pie Egg Rolls.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Cake Base
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a parchment-lined sheet cake pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients
Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
Whisk Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla.
Combine & Mix
Pour wet into dry. Whisk, then beat on medium speed for two minutes.
Bake & Cool
Pour into pan and bake 50 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean. Cool fully on wire racks.
Make Frosting
Beat butter, add cocoa, sugar, salt, then fudge. Whip until smooth.
Assemble & Decorate
Scoop frosting onto cooled cake. Spread evenly. Pipe a spiral of melted white chocolate. Drag a toothpick from the center outward to create a cobweb cake look.
Create Spider
Pipe chocolate “L”-shaped legs, chill, then arrange around a peanut M&M body with a small M&M head.
For more seasonal desserts, try Pumpkin Streusel Muffins or a chewy Date Caramel Apple.
Pro Tips for Success
- Always use hot coffee—it deepens the chocolate flavor.
- Chill frosting slightly before spreading for a smooth surface.
- For kids’ Halloween cake fun, let them drag the toothpick for spiderweb designs.
- Want elegance? Dust cocoa powder lightly for a gothic cake vibe.
Delicious Variations
- Marble Style: Swirl dark and white chocolate for a zebra-like effect.
- Spooky Colors: Add orange gel coloring to frosting for a Halloween party cake.
- Mini Cobweb Cakes: Bake in cupcake tins for bite-sized cobweb cakes.
Pair your cake with spooky punch or hot cider. It also looks amazing on a black cake stand.
For other festive cakes, see Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookie or the Carrot Pineapple Cake.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Carbs | 56g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Sodium | 240mg |
Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Keeps 5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Freeze slices up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Bring to room temperature before serving.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make Spiderweb Chocolate Cake—rich, moist, and spooky yet elegant. Whether it’s for a kids’ Halloween cake or a gothic cake party centerpiece, this decorated spider cake will thrill your guests. Have you tried making your own cobweb cake yet? Share your twist in the comments and save this recipe for your next Halloween party cake.
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FAQs
What makes a spider cake unique?
Its spooky web design and edible chocolate spider make it stand out from traditional cakes.
What is a cake that everyone likes?
Chocolate cake—especially a moist version like this—tends to please every crowd.
What is a zebra cake?
It’s a cake with alternating light and dark batters, creating striped layers inside.
What is the chocolate cake guy called?
Often people refer to pastry chefs or viral bakers as the “chocolate cake guy,” known for trending chocolate recipes online.
Spiderweb Chocolate Cake – Tasty, Rich, and Perfect for Halloween
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A spooky Spiderweb Chocolate Cake with rich cocoa layers, creamy frosting, and a cobweb design perfect for Halloween parties.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cup strong hot coffee
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3 cup all-purpose flour
2 2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 lb confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup fudge
1/3 cup white chocolate, melted
1 peanut M&M
1 brown M&M
2 tbsp melted chocolate
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare pan.
2. Sift dry ingredients together.
3. Whisk wet ingredients separately.
4. Combine and mix 2 minutes.
5. Bake 50 minutes, cool completely.
6. Beat buttercream frosting until smooth.
7. Spread frosting, pipe white spiral, drag toothpick to make web.
8. Assemble spider with M&Ms and chocolate legs.
Notes
For extra richness, use espresso instead of coffee.
Decorate with edible glitter for elegant Halloween look.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg