Spider Web Cake Decorating Ideas

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A fun spider web dessert for Halloween, this Chocolate Ganache Spider Web Cake is a super easy Halloween cake that makes a big impression!

An Easy Halloween Cake, this Spider Web Cake for adults tastes like a giant cupcake with it's chocolate ganache coating and vanilla buttercream filling

Spider Web Cake Recipe

Ever since I learned how to add a fun spiderweb design to food when I made my Spiderweb White Russian cocktail, I've been having so much fun adding it in wherever I can!

While making my Spiderweb Cupcakes and repeating the process of making the design 24 times, I realized that it would be much more efficient (and just as cute) to make a cake with a simple spider web design.

The first time you make this cake, I strongly encourage you to use a boxed cake mix. Ganache is pretty straight-forward but if you end up burning it slightly or making a mess your first time around, you don't want to have the additional frustration of having spent the time making the cake from scratch. (However, even if it turns into a giant mess, you can still turn the cake into Halloween cake pops!)

For extra embellishments, you can make edible candy spiders like these Reese's Cup Spiders to perch on top of the cake.

Check out our quick recipe video for the Spiderweb Cupcakes version of this recipe – the method is basically the same, just miniature – and then don't forget to scroll down to grab our free printable recipe:

How to make a Spiderweb Cake

Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache Spider Web Cake

Box chocolate cake mix
- Plus ingredients called for on the box

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING:

Bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Heavy whipping cream (35%)

FOR THE WHITE SPIDERWEB ICING:

Powdered Icing Sugar
Butter, room temperature
Milk <– can use cream
Vanilla Extract

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: you may need more than one box of cake mix to make a big enough layer cake.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

Measuring cups and spoons
Medium-sized mixing bowls
Two or Three 8″ cake pans
Whisk
Electric mixer <– this is a great hand mixer if you don't want to make the investment into a stand mixer
Piping bag<– a basic piping set will have all you need
Offset spatula
Small saucepan
Cooling rack

How to Make a Spider Web Cake

Prepare the cake according to the box directions. Cool the cake layers completely on cooling racks before progressing with the rest of the recipe.

For the ganache:

In a small, heat-proof bowl, place the 2 1/2oz chocolate.

In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until just slightly simmering, about 3-4 minutes.

Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate, let melt for 2 minutes, and then whisk until smooth. Allow to thicken for 5-10 minutes.

For the white spiderweb icing:

Beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla until combined and smooth.

Use about half of the frosting to sandwich the cake layers together – keeping the cake on the cooling racks (preferably with a cookie sheet underneath).

Transfer the remaining frosting into a piping bag. You can either use a small tip, or make a small snip. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Pour the cooled ganache over the cake, covering the whole thing evenly and letting the excess drip onto the cookie sheet.

Let the ganache set for just a couple minutes (no more than five) and then use the white icing to draw circles on the cake, like a bullseye shape (as shown).

When you have finished your last ring, take a toothpick and draw it from the center of the cake outwards, dragging the white icing slightly to create a peaked effect. Repeat multiple times in equal distances to create a spiderweb effect.

Let the ganache and white frosting set fully before serving.

Pin this Chocolate Ganache Spider Web Cake:

A fun spider web dessert for Halloween, this Chocolate Ganache Spider Web Cake is a super easy Halloween cake that makes a big impression! Perfect for Halloween parties

Grab your free printable for our chocolate spider web cake recipe:

Ingredients

Box chocolate cake mix
Plus ingredients called for on the box

FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING:

2½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
¼ cup heavy cream

FOR THE WHITE SPIDERWEB ICING:

2 cups powdered icing sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

For the Chocolate Cake:

Prepare the cake according to the box directions. Cool the cake layers completely on cooling racks before progressing with the rest of the recipe.

For the ganache:

In a small, heat-proof bowl, place the 2 1/2oz chocolate.
In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until just slightly simmering, about 3-4 minutes.
Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate, let melt for 2 minutes, and then whisk until smooth. Allow to thicken for 5-10 minutes.

For the white spiderweb icing:

Beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla until combined and smooth.
Use about half of the frosting to sandwich the cake layers together - keeping the cake on the cooling racks (preferably with a cookie sheet underneath).
Transfer the remaining frosting into a piping bag. You can either use a small tip, or make a small snip. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Pour the cooled ganache over the cake, covering the whole thing evenly and letting the excess drip onto the cookie sheet.
Let the ganache set for just a couple minutes (no more than five) and then use the white icing to draw circles on the cake, like a bullseye shape (as shown).
When you have finished your last ring, take a toothpick and draw it from the center of the cake outwards, dragging the white icing slightly to create a peaked effect. Repeat multiple times in equal distances to create a spiderweb effect.
Let the ganache and white frosting set fully before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 26mg Sodium: 83mg Carbohydrates: 22g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 19g Protein: 1g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn't always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

This super easy spider web cake is the perfect Halloween cake for parties when you want to impress but don't have a ton of time (or know-how) to spend on cake decorating.

For more delicious Halloween party recipes, check out our Pumpkin Pie Dip or our Homemade Caramel Popcorn (with video).