Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake

If you’re looking for a deliciously spooky treat to serve at your Halloween gathering, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect recipe! This Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake is not only a fun dessert but also a delightful way to celebrate the season. With its creamy pudding filling and charming decorations, it’s sure to be a hit among kids and adults alike. Plus, this cake is easy to make, so even if you’re busy preparing for Halloween festivities, you can whip it up without breaking a sweat!

What I love most about this poke cake is how it brings everyone together. Whether it’s a family gathering or a friendly neighborhood party, this dessert adds that extra touch of whimsy. It’s like having a mini graveyard on your table—how fun is that?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: This recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Family-Friendly Fun: Kids will love helping with the decorating, turning baking into a creative activity.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: The cake can chill in the fridge, allowing you to prepare it well before your guests arrive.
• Deliciously Decadent: The combination of chocolate cake and creamy pudding is simply irresistible!
• Customizable Decorations: You can get as creative as you like with toppings, making it your own spooky masterpiece.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake uses simple, wholesome ingredients that you might already have on hand. Let’s gather everything we need to create this festive delight!

For the Cake

• 15.25 ounces devil’s food cake mix (+ ingredients called for on box)

For the Pudding

• 3.4 ounce instant white chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• green and orange food coloring

For Topping

• 8 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
• 30 Oreo cookies (crushed)
• 4 Milano cookies
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or black writing icing)
• Additional decorations as desired (ghost peeps, black cat peeps, pumpkin peeps, candy pumpkins, Halloween sprinkles, pectin-based gummy candies)

Variations

The beauty of this poke cake is its flexibility! You can easily customize it based on your preferences or what you have available at home.

• Change the Flavor: Swap out the devil’s food cake mix for vanilla or spice cake for a different taste experience.
• Use Different Colors: Instead of green and orange pudding, try purple and yellow for a fresh twist.
• Add Extra Layers: Layer additional flavors like strawberry or raspberry pudding for more depth.
• Try Alternative Toppings: Use different cookies or candies that fit the Halloween theme for unique decorations.

How to Make Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

Start by preparing the devil’s food cake mix according to the package instructions in a 9×13 pan. Once baked, allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial because letting the cake cool helps prevent the pudding from melting into it completely.

Step 2: Mix the Pudding

While your cake cools, grab a large bowl and whisk together the instant white chocolate pudding mix and cold milk until smooth. It’s important to do this now so that when you’re ready for assembly, everything is prepped and waiting!

Step 3: Color Your Pudding

Divide your pudding equally into two smaller bowls. Add green food coloring to one bowl and orange to the other. Stir each until you achieve vibrant colors that scream Halloween!

Step 4: Poke Holes in Your Cake

Using the handle of a wooden spoon (or any similar tool), poke holes around an inch apart all over the top of your cooled cake. This step allows those colorful puddings to seep into every bite—trust me; it makes all the difference!

Step 5: Fill with Pudding

Now comes the fun part! Carefully spoon alternating layers of green and orange pudding into each hole you’ve created. This will create a beautiful marbled effect throughout your cake.

Step 6: Spread Cool Whip

Once you’ve filled all those holes with pudding goodness, spread Cool Whip evenly over the top of your cake. This fluffy layer adds sweetness and creaminess—perfect for balancing out that rich chocolate flavor.

Step 7: Sprinkle Cookie Crumbs

Take those crushed Oreo cookies and sprinkle them generously over the top of your Cool Whip layer. They not only add flavor but also create that dirt look we want for our graveyard scene!

Step 8: Chill Your Cake

Place your decorated masterpiece in the fridge to chill for at least two hours. Chilling helps everything set nicely while intensifying those flavors.

Step 9: Decorate Your Tombstones

While waiting for your cake to chill, break off the bottoms of your Milano cookies and use either black writing icing or melted chocolate to write R.I.P. or add dates on each cookie. These will serve as adorable tombstones on top of our spooky creation.

Step 10: Final Decorations

Before serving up this delightful dessert, get creative! Decorate with ghost peeps, tombstone cookies, candy pumpkins, or any other fun Halloween treats you have on hand.

And there you have it—a whimsical Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake that’s bound to steal hearts at any Halloween celebration! Enjoy every spooky bite!

Pro Tips for Making Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake

Creating a show-stopping dessert doesn’t have to be intimidating! Here are some tips to ensure your Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake turns out perfectly.

• Use room temperature ingredients: Allow your eggs, milk, and other ingredients to come to room temperature before mixing. This helps them blend more smoothly, resulting in a fluffier cake.

• Poke holes evenly: Use a uniform spacing when poking holes in the cake. This ensures that each bite is equally delicious and full of flavor as the pudding seeps evenly throughout.

• Chill thoroughly: Letting the cake chill for at least 2 hours (or even overnight) allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. Plus, it makes slicing and serving much easier!

• Personalize decorations: Feel free to get creative with your decorations. Use different candies or sprinkles that match your Halloween theme, making your cake uniquely yours!

• Make ahead: This cake can be prepared a day in advance. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap after decorating to keep it fresh and to avoid any mess, making party prep a breeze!

How to Serve Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake

Serving this delightful poke cake is all about presentation and adding some fun elements that enhance its spooky charm. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Garnishes

• Edible eyes: Add playful edible candy eyes on top of the Cool Whip layer to give your ghosts even more personality.
• Chocolate shavings: Sprinkle some chocolate shavings over the whipped topping for an elegant touch that also adds extra chocolatey goodness!
• Colorful sprinkles: Use Halloween-themed sprinkles like orange and black jimmies or candy corn shapes for an added festive flair.

Side Dishes

• Witch’s Brew Soup: A hearty vegetable soup colored green with pureed spinach or peas makes for a fun pairing that complements the festive theme.
• Mummy Dogs: Wrap turkey or veggie hot dogs in crescent roll dough for a spooky twist on classic pigs in blankets—perfect finger food for your Halloween gathering!
• Pumpkin Hummus with Veggies: Serve a creamy pumpkin hummus alongside assorted veggies for a healthy yet seasonal snack that balances out the sweetness of the cake.
• Ghostly Fruit Salad: Mix together ghost-shaped watermelon slices, grapes, and blueberries for a refreshing side dish that’s both healthy and fun!

With these serving suggestions, your Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake will not only be the star of the dessert table but will also delight your guests with complementary flavors and festive presentations. Enjoy creating lasting memories this Halloween!

Make Ahead and Storage

This Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake is perfect for meal prep, making it easy to create a festive dessert in advance for your Halloween celebrations. You can prepare it a day ahead, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Here are some tips on how to store any leftovers or make it ahead of time.

Storing Leftovers

• Keep any leftover cake covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
• Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
• Avoid adding decorations until you’re ready to serve to keep them looking their best.

Freezing

• While this poke cake is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it without toppings.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container.
• It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheating

• This cake is best served chilled right out of the fridge.
• If desired, you can let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for improved texture.

FAQs

Here are some common questions about making this delightful dessert!

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix for the Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake?

Absolutely! While devil’s food cake gives a rich chocolate flavor, you can choose vanilla, red velvet, or any other favorite cake mix for a fun twist.

How do I decorate my Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake?

Feel free to get creative! Use ghost peeps, crushed Oreos for dirt, and Milano cookies as tombstones. Halloween sprinkles and pectin-based gummy candies also add a festive touch!

What can I substitute for Cool Whip in the Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake?

If you prefer not to use Cool Whip, you can whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. This will give you a light and fluffy topping just like Cool Whip.

How long does it take to make the Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake?

The total time needed is about 2 hours and 55 minutes, including baking and chilling time. The prep work is only around 20 minutes!

Final Thoughts

This Ghosts in the Graveyard Poke Cake is not just a treat; it’s an experience that brings joy and creativity into your kitchen! It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family during Halloween festivities. I hope you enjoy making this spooky dessert as much as I do. Get ready to impress your guests with this delightful creation—happy baking!