If you’re looking for a fun, festive way to celebrate Halloween with your family or friends, I absolutely love sharing this PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe because it combines spooky vibes with sweet treats perfectly. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how easy it was to pull off, yet it wowed everyone with its creepy-cute charm. Keep reading, and I promise you’ll be excited to bake this for your next party or just a cozy day at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple: This cake uses a boxed mix and frosting, making it quick and foolproof for any skill level.
- Fun & Festive: PEEPS marshmallow ghosts and tombstones give you instant Halloween spirit without any carving.
- Great for Kids: My kids love helping to decorate with the “spooky dirt” cookie crumbs — it’s a creative bonding moment.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This cake serves 20, so it’s perfect for school parties, potlucks, or family gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The combo of a rich devil’s food cake, creamy chocolate frosting, and classic PEEPS marshmallow decorations is just unbeatable. Here’s why these ingredients work so well together — plus my go-to tips for buying just the right ones.
- Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Devil’s Food Cake Mix: This is the base of your spooky cake and ensures moistness and chocolatey goodness every time.
- Water, oil, and eggs: Follow the box directions for the perfect cake batter texture — I never skip measuring!
- Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting: Creamy and smooth, it’s ideal to cover the cake and help the decorations stick.
- PEEPS® marshmallow ghosts: These little marshmallow figures add the perfect spook factor and fun texture.
- PEEPS® marshmallow tombstones: They’re so cute and easy to position around your cake’s edges.
- Chocolate cookie crumbs: Using crushed chocolate cookies gives you that “graveyard dirt” look and a crunchy contrast.
Variations
I love that this PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe is super flexible — you can easily make it your own depending on your mood or dietary needs. Here are a few ways I’ve shaken it up.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap the cake mix and cookies for gluten-free versions; my gluten-sensitive friends rave about how delicious it still tastes.
- Different Flavors: Try a red velvet cake mix instead of devil’s food for a vibrant red “bloody graveyard” effect — it’s a crowd favorite at my Halloween parties.
- Extra Creepy Decorations: Add gummy worms or candy spiders around the cookie “dirt” to give it an extra scare factor.
- Vegan Twist: Use egg replacers and vegan frosting; I experimented once and was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it turned out.
How to Make PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe
Step 1: Bake Your Devil’s Food Cake Base
First things first, heat your oven to 350°F (really let it get there for even baking). Spray a 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray — trust me, you don’t want your spooky graveyard stuck in the pan later! Mix up your cake batter exactly as the box directs using water, oil, and eggs. Pour it in and pop it in the oven for the time the box suggests. Once baked, let it cool completely on a wire rack, which usually takes about an hour. Patience here means a smooth frosting and no mess.
Step 2: Frost and Decorate Your Graveyard
Once your cake is fully cool, gently spread that rich and creamy chocolate frosting evenly all over the top — this frosting is smooth and sets a perfect “soil” background. Next, place your PEEPS marshmallow ghosts and tombstones around the edges; I usually space them out so each little marshmallow spooky figure stands out. Finally, sprinkle the crushed chocolate cookie crumbs over the top like creepy dirt covering a haunted graveyard. I like to sprinkle lightly at first and add more if needed so it looks just right. You can then cut your cake into 20 pieces by slicing into 5 rows and 4 columns — perfect for sharing!
Pro Tips for Making PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe
- Cool It Completely: I learned the hard way that frosting a warm cake melts and makes your “dirt” decorations slide around — make sure your cake is fully cooled!
- Even Frosting: Use an offset spatula or butter knife to spread frosting smoothly; this helps the cookie crumbs stick better and look more realistic.
- Cookie Crumb Freshness: Crush the cookies fresh for crisp “gravesite dirt” — it really makes a difference compared to pre-ground crumbs.
- PEEPS Placement: Gently press marshmallow ghosts and tombstones slightly into the frosting to secure them so they don’t topple when you serve.
How to Serve PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe
Garnishes
I personally love adding a few extra gummy bats or spiders on top just before serving for a little flair. Sometimes I’ll dust a sprinkle of powdered sugar around the edges to mimic a foggy graveyard atmosphere — it’s subtle but magical!
Side Dishes
Serve this cake alongside some classic fall goodies like caramel apples or spiced pumpkin cookies. If it’s a party setting, a big bowl of popcorn with candy corn mixed in makes a great salty-sweet contrast to the cake.
Creative Ways to Present
I once set up the cake on a platter lined with edible “moss” made from tinted coconut flakes—people loved how it transformed the graveyard scene. Using a black cake stand adds an eerie elegance, making it a centerpiece everyone talks about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), keep the cake covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The PEEPS marshmallows stay soft and the cookie crumbs hold up surprisingly well.
Freezing
I haven’t frozen the whole decorated cake because of the marshmallows, but uncut, undecorated cake layers freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw and decorate fresh on the day you want to serve.
Reheating
This cake is best served at room temperature, so if refrigerated, allow it to sit out for about 30 minutes before cutting and serving. Avoid microwaving — it melts the frosting and marshmallow decorations too much.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade cake instead of boxed mix for this PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe?
Absolutely! While I love how easy and reliable the boxed mix is, using your favorite from-scratch devil’s food cake recipe will work just as well. Just make sure the cake cools fully before frosting and decorating.
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What if I can’t find PEEPS marshmallow ghosts and tombstones?
Don’t worry—any Halloween-themed marshmallows or even small candy decorations will do. You can also make your own tombstones from graham crackers or fondant for a creative twist.
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How do I keep the cookie crumbs from getting soggy?
Sprinkle the cookie crumbs just before serving, or store the decorated cake in a cool, dry place to slow moisture buildup. I usually add a fresh layer of crumbs if I refrigerate it overnight.
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Can kids help make this cake?
Definitely! Kids love arranging the marshmallow ghosts and tombstones and sprinkling the cookie crumbs. It’s a fun, hands-on way to get them involved in baking and decorating.
Final Thoughts
This PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe has become a favorite in my household because it’s so easy, playful, and delicious all in one. Every time I make it, my family goes crazy for the creative decorations and that moist chocolate cake base. I highly recommend giving this a try this season — it’s a fantastic way to bring some Halloween magic into your kitchen and enjoy sweet moments with loved ones. Plus, it’s fun to say out loud!
Print
PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 1 hr 55 min
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a spooky and delicious PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake with moist devil’s food cake, rich chocolate frosting, and festive marshmallow ghosts and tombstones, perfect for Halloween celebrations or fun-themed parties.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Devil’s Food Cake Mix
- Water, oil, and eggs as called for on cake mix box
Frosting & Decoration
- 1 tub (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting
- 4 PEEPS® brand marshmallow ghosts
- 4 PEEPS® brand marshmallow tombstones
- 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs (from approximately 10 cookies)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Heat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix and Bake Cake: Prepare the cake batter according to the directions on the box, using the specified amounts of water, oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed.
- Cool the Cake: After baking, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack, approximately 1 hour.
- Frost the Cake: Once cooled, spread the entire surface of the cake evenly with the 16 oz tub of chocolate frosting.
- Decorate with Marshmallows: Arrange the PEEPS marshmallow ghosts and tombstones around the edges of the frosted cake to create a spooky graveyard scene.
- Add Cookie Crumb Dirt: Sprinkle the chocolate cookie crumbs evenly over the top of the cake, giving the appearance of dirt surrounding the marshmallow figures.
- Slice and Serve: Cut the cake into 5 rows by 4 rows, yielding 20 servings. Enjoy your spooky treat!
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Use cooking spray liberally to prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
- Chocolate cookie crumbs can be made by crushing chocolate sandwich cookies with or without the cream filling for extra sweetness.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and stored covered at room temperature.
- For an extra spooky effect, consider adding edible eyes or additional Halloween-themed decorations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/20th of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
