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  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. Spiderweb Cake

Spiderweb Cake

You can even decorate the top with spooky candy spiders!

By Leah PerezPublished: Oct 3, 2024
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillStar Fill
5
1 Rating
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the pioneer woman's spiderweb cake recipe
C.W. Newell
Yields:
6 - 8 serving(s)
Prep Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
2 hrs 15 mins

You don't want to see the spider that spun this web. Just kidding! The cobwebs covering this dark chocolate Halloween cake are made from gooey marshmallows! This chocolate dessert is the perfect centerpiece for a Halloween party or a sweet surprise for all the goblins and ghouls after a night of trick-or-treating. You can even get the kids involved in making the marshmallow spiderwebs for a fun Halloween activity!

How do you make the frosting smooth?

This cake is coated in a rich dark chocolate frosting. The best way to get a nice, smooth coating is to use a warm offset spatula. To heat one up, submerge the spatula blade in a cup of hot water for a few seconds, then quickly wipe off any excess water with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. The spatula will glide over the frosting flawlessly, creating a smooth finish.

How do you decorate a spiderweb cake?

The marshmallow web is the star of this dessert. To make it, microwave standard-size marshmallows just until puffed and melted in the center. Use two forks or (food-safe) gloved hands to pick up the some of the marshmallows and stretch them apart so the strands resemble a web. Working quickly, wrap the marshmallows around the cake. Continue stretching the remaining marshmallows over the top and sides of the cake as evenly as possible. If your marshmallows start to solidify or you want to cover the cake in even more gooey goodness, simply heat up more.

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Ingredients

For the cake:

  • Baking spray with flour, for the pan

  • 1 1/4 cups

    packed light brown sugar

  • 1 cup

    brewed coffee

  • 1/2 cup

    (3 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips 

  • 1/3 cup

    vegetable oil

  • 1 1/2 cups

    all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 cup

    dark unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tsp.

    baking soda 

  • 1/4 tsp.

    kosher salt

  • 2

    large eggs, at room temperature

  • 3/4 cup

    sour cream, at room temperature

  • 1 tsp.

    vanilla extract

  • 5

    large marshmallows

For the frosting:

  • 1/2 cup

    (1 stick) salted butter

  • 1 cup

    dark unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tsp.

    vanilla extract

  • 3 1/2 cups

    powdered sugar

  • 6 Tbsp.

    very hot water

Directions

    1. Step 1For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with baking spray with flour. Line the bottom with parchment paper and spray again.
    2. Step 2In a medium saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, coffee, chocolate chips, and oil. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the chocolate is melted. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
    3. Step 3In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
    4. Step 4Working one ingredient at a time, whisk the eggs, sour cream, and vanilla into the brown sugar mixture. Slowly add the flour mixture, whisking just until combined.
    5. Step 5Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a plate, remove the parchment paper, and flip it again onto a wire rack, allowing it to cool completely top-side up.
    6. Step 6For the frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, microwave the butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla. Using an electric mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, and the hot water, about 2 tablespoons at a time, until well combined. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until smooth and spreadable, 1 to 2 minutes.
    7. Step 7Place the cooled cake on a serving plate and spread with the frosting. Chill the cake until the frosting is set, in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or the freezer for 15 minutes.
    8. Step 8In a small heatproof bowl, microwave the marshmallows until puffy and melted in the center, about 15 seconds.
    9. Step 9Dip 2 forks or your fingers (wearing food-safe gloves) in the marshmallows and stretch the marshmallows until thin and web-like. Wrap the marshmallow webs around the cake. Repeat this process until the cake is covered with webs. Let the marshmallows set for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Tip: Happen to have some candy insects lying around? Arrange them on top for an extra-spooky treat!

Love This Recipe? Try One Of These Next!
  • Spider Cookies
  • Ghost Cupcakes
  • Halloween Brownies
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