Festive Candy Corn Cake Recipe

Celebrate fall or Halloween with a festive Candy Corn Cake! The flavor and texture of this cake are delicious and people will swoon when you cut into it.

Original post: September 2017 | Updated: September 2020

Prior to a couple years ago been intimidated by making layer cakes because of the work required to make them look really good. But guess what lesson I’ve learned recently? It’s something I tell my boys all the time: NEVER SAY NEVER.

Because every time I say I’ll never do something, I end up wanting it…needing it in my life.

A couple years ago I told anyone who would listen that I would NEVER bake or decorate cakes. Words of doom, people, words of doom. Because ever since then, one of my favorite types of recipes to create and swoon over is the beautiful layer cake.

This totally irresistible Candy Corn Cake was the first really pretty cake I experimented with. Make this festive cake for your next Halloween or fall party and you’ll hear all kinds of oooo-ing and ahhhh-ing. Promise.

HOW TO MAKE CANDY CORN CAKE

MAKE THE CANDY CORN CAKE

Preheat oven to 350°F and generously spray three 8- or 9-inch round cake pans (or you can do this with one cake pan, baking one at a time) with cooking spray.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, sugar, egg whites and almond extract and beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined. Add the milk gradually and mix until creamy.

Divide the cake batter between three same-size bowls. Leave one as-is. Add yellow food coloring to one and neon orange to the last to match candy corn colors.

Pour batter individually into the prepared cake pans and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the rounded tops off each cooled cake.

MAKE THE FROSTING

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the butter, powdered sugar and almond extract.

Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.

ASSEMBLE THE CAKE LAYERS

Place the yellow cake in the center of a cake stand or serving plate. Spread the frosting evenly and generously over the top in an even layer. Top with the orange cake and repeat frosting. Top with the white cake.

Using an offset or icing spatula, apply white frosting to the sides of the cake and create a smooth surface. Repeat on the top of the cake. Decorate with candy corn and cover cake until ready to serve!

RECIPE NOTES: CANDY CORN CAKE

• Consider adding orange or yellow food coloring to the frosting for an orange frosting or yellow frosting option!
• To save time, prepare a box cake mix according to package directions. Use a white cake mix for this.
• I highly recommend purchasing an offset spatula if you are just digging into making layer cakes!
• If you have time, add a crumb coat to the cake before spreading the remainder of the frosting on.
• Go crazy with the candy corn as the decor. The more, the merrier. So fun!
• I love putting the darkest color on the bottom of the cake, but switch it around if you want! Go white layer, yellow layer, orange layer from bottom to top, if desired.

WHY DO SOME RECIPES CALL FOR EGGS TO BE USED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Allowing your eggs to come to room temperature is important for a couple of reasons. One, they will mix better with your batter,  and then let the cake mix raise better as it bakes. Also, the cake will take a little longer to bake if room temperature eggs are used but creates a perfect cake that has a great texture.

If a cake has a high fat content, adding cold eggs could affect re-hardening the fat. Finally, eggs that are needed to be created into a foam for a recipe will have better volume if warmed to room temperature.

SALTED BUTTER VS UNSALTED BUTTER

Ahh, the great baking debate. Many bakers use unsalted butter in their baked goods in order to avoid over-salting. I, however, believe that there is no such thing as “over-salting.”

I always use salted butter in my baked goods (and for everything else under the sun) because it gives everything I make an extra touch of salty deliciousness. If you go the unsalted route, keep in mind that you may need to add a bit extra salt to the recipe!

OTHER DELICIOUS HALLOWEEN TREATS

• Best Pumpkin Bars make the perfect fall dessert. They are moist, irresistible and full of yummy pumpkin flavor. Great for your next fall gathering.
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds – Don’t let those delicious little pumpkin seeds go to waste when carving pumpkins! Learn how to prepare those raw pumpkins seeds.
• This sweet and salty Halloween Snack Mix is a great Fall snack to have on hand. It is perfect for a handful on the run or a great snack for kiddos after school!
• The only thing better than salted caramel apples is Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake! This is the perfect fall treat and a great way to use up any type of apples.