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Spider Web Cake

This cake features a moist vanilla sponge layered with glossy black icing and decorated with a delicate web pattern resembling a spooky spider web. The final appearance is dark and elegant, with a soft cake texture and shiny, intricate icing design that creates a hauntingly beautiful dessert.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Western
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour sifted
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup black gel food coloring for the web icing
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • ¼ cup water hot, for thinning icing
  • ½ cup heavy cream for vanilla frosting

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Sponge cake pans
  • Cooling racks
  • Piping bags
  • Small round piping tip
  • Offset spatula

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round sponge cake pans. Sift the flour and baking powder together in a bowl — this helps create a light, airy batter.
  2. Using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes. This develops both flavor and texture.
  3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they’re fully incorporated. Then mix in the vanilla extract for aroma and depth.
  4. Alternately add the sifted flour mixture and milk to the batter, starting and ending with flour, mixing gently on low speed. This creates a smooth, even batter with no overmixing.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with an offset spatula for an even layer. Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks. Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
  7. Prepare the vanilla frosting by whipping the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
  8. Fill and frost the cooled cake layers with the vanilla frosting, smoothing the sides and top with an offset spatula for a sleek finish.
  9. Mix the black gel food coloring into a small portion of the remaining icing or frosting to create a deep black web color. Thin it slightly with water if it becomes too thick for piping.
  10. Transfer the black icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe concentric circles on the cake top and connect them with radiating lines to form a web pattern.
  11. Continue piping until the web pattern is complete. If desired, add small decorative spiders or accents for extra spookiness.
  12. Place the finished cake in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to set the decorations. Slice and serve to enjoy the eerie, webbed cake with its soft crumb and glossy icing.

Notes

For best results, ensure cakes are completely cooled before frosting. Practice piping the web pattern on a plate first if you're new to decorative icing.