Quick and easy Halloween cake (Twizzler Cake), made at home with simple ingredients. A chocolate frosted cake decorated with orange, yellow and black candies — perfect for a festive, fun dessert.
I’ve always loved candy and costumes, so Halloween is one of my favorite times to bake. After a trip to the store I filled a bag with seasonal sweets and turned them into this playful Twizzler cake. It’s an easy, fast project that looks impressive but takes very little hands-on time. If you like candy-covered cakes, try this simple approach for a memorable Halloween centerpiece.
How to Make an Easy Halloween Cake from Scratch
- Bake the cakes. Allow the layers to cool completely. Prepare the frosting while they cool.
- Level the cakes. Trim any domes so each layer is flat.
- Assemble the cake. Place one layer on a serving plate, spread icing over it, then add the second layer and press gently to secure.
- Ice the cake. Frost the entire cake smoothly with chocolate or a dark-colored frosting.
- Attach the Twizzlers. Trim black Twizzlers to the height of the cake and press them around the sides.
- Secure with a ribbon. Wrap a ribbon around the cake to keep the Twizzlers from slipping.
- Top with candies. Pile orange and yellow candies on top and scatter small Twizzler pieces for extra texture.
- Finish the base. Add a few candy bits around the bottom edge for a polished look. Enjoy!
Variations for a Spooky Cake
Swap the cake flavor. Use vanilla, red velvet, funfetti, or any flavor you prefer — then adapt the candy colors to fit a Halloween theme.
Add a filling. Raspberry, strawberry or cherry filling between layers adds a bright, fruity contrast to a chocolate cake.
Try different frostings. Chocolate ganache, chocolate cream cheese frosting, or coconut-chocolate frosting all work well and help hide any dark licorice marks.
Mix up the candy. Use small candies, cut-up candy bars, or even lollipops on top. Keep heavier items toward the center so the cake keeps its shape.
Change the color palette. Choose green and purple, red and black, or classic orange and yellow — coordinate the ribbon to match.
Tips and Techniques
Use dark frosting. A chocolate or dark-colored icing hides the marks from black licorice and creates a richer look.
Don’t skip the ribbon. The ribbon keeps Twizzlers from slipping and helps the cake travel more safely.
Trim Twizzlers to fit. Cut them before placing to avoid gaps or pieces sticking up unevenly.
Level the layers. A flat surface ensures candies sit securely and don’t slide off.
Storage for the Decorated Cake
Refrigerate: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Note that candies may become sticky from refrigerator moisture.
Freeze: Cake layers and frosting can be frozen separately for up to 1 month. Thaw to room temperature before assembling and decorating.
More Halloween Cake Ideas
- Spider Web Cake
- Candy Cake using Halloween leftovers
- Mummy Cake
- Eyeball Cake
- Candy Corn Cake
- Monster Cake
Recipe
Easy Halloween Cake (Twizzler Cake)
Ingredients
- 2 Chocolate cake layers (8 x 2 inch rounds)
- 3 cups Chocolate buttercream icing
- 15-20 Black Twizzlers
- 1 cup M&M candies (yellow and orange)
Instructions
- Bake the cake layers according to your recipe or mix directions and let them cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting while the cakes cool.
- Trim any domes to level the layers for stable stacking.
- Place one layer on your serving plate and spread an even layer of frosting on top.
- Add the second cake layer and press gently to secure.
- Frost the full cake smoothly with chocolate or a dark-colored frosting.
- Trim Twizzlers to match the cake height and press them vertically around the sides.
- Tie a ribbon around the cake to hold the Twizzlers in place.
- Pile yellow and orange candies on top. Add small Twizzler pieces for extra detail.
- Scatter a few candy bits around the base and serve.
Notes
- Follow the tips above for best results, including using dark frosting and a ribbon to secure the Twizzlers.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Candies may become sticky from fridge moisture.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is generated by an automated tool and is provided as an estimate only.