Barefoot Contessa Halloween Chocolate Cake

Who doesn’t love a delicious chocolate cake, especially when it’s Halloween-themed? This Barefoot Contessa Halloween Chocolate Cake recipe is the perfect blend of spooky and sweet, making it an ideal treat for your festive celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a costume party or just looking to indulge in some seasonal delights, this cake is sure to be a hit. With rich chocolate flavors and a whimsical decoration, it’s an absolute must-have for any Halloween gathering.

**Barefoot Contessa Halloween Chocolate Cake**

**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
– ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– ½ cup vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 cup boiling water
– Black and orange food coloring gel
– Halloween-themed decorations (e.g., plastic spiders, gummy worms)

**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat** your oven to 350°F (175°C) and **grease** two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, **combine** the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. **Whisk** until well blended.
3. **Add** the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. **Mix** on medium speed for about 2 minutes until fully incorporated.
4. **Gradually pour in** the boiling water while stirring the batter. **Mix** until the batter is smooth and thin.
5. **Divide** the batter equally between the two prepared cake pans. **Bake** in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. **Allow** the cakes to **cool** in the pans for 10 minutes before **transferring** them to a wire rack to **cool** completely.
7. Once the cakes have **cooled**, **level** the tops if necessary using a serrated knife to create even layers.
8. **Tint** a portion of the frosting black and another portion orange using the food coloring gel.
9. **Place** one cake layer on a serving plate and **spread** a thin layer of black frosting on top.
10. **Stack** the second cake layer on top and **frost** the top and sides with the remaining black frosting.
11. **Pipe** orange frosting in a decorative pattern around the top edge of the cake.
12. **Decorate** the cake with Halloween-themed decorations like plastic spiders, gummy worms, or candy eyeballs.

Enjoy this festive Barefoot Contessa Halloween Chocolate Cake with friends and family at your Halloween gathering. The rich chocolate flavor combined with the spooky decorations is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. You can also get creative and add your own personal touch to the decorations. Let your imagination run wild and have a spooktacular time baking and enjoying this delightful treat!