PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your friends or family with a fun, spooky dessert that’s as tasty as it is festive, you’ve got to try my PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe. I absolutely love how this cake turns out—rich, chocolaty, and topped with adorable marshmallow PEEPS that bring a playful Halloween vibe to your table. Trust me, this isn’t just any cake; it’s a crowd-pleaser that kids and adults alike will rave about. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this spooky treat perfectly!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe combines to create that perfect balance of moist cake, creamy frosting, and playful decoration. I always recommend grabbing the freshest PEEPS to get their signature soft marshmallow texture, and the chocolate cookie crumbs add a crucial “dirt” element that really completes the graveyard vibe.

• Devil’s Food Cake Mix: I use the Betty Crocker™ one because it’s reliably moist and chocolaty every time.
• Water, Oil, and Eggs: The basics called for on the cake mix box—no shortcuts here for best texture.
• Chocolate Frosting: Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy is my go-to for a smooth, luscious finish that pairs perfectly with devil’s food cake.
• PEEPS Marshmallow Ghosts: Adds that cute spooky character; choose fresh ones that aren’t sticky.
• PEEPS Marshmallow Tombstones: These bring the graveyard scene to life with fun shapes.
• Chocolate Cookie Crumbs: I crush about 10 chocolate sandwich cookies—it gives just the right crumbly “dirt” texture.

Variations

I love how easy it is to customize this PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe. Whether you want to make it more kid-friendly, extra spooky, or even suited for dietary needs, there are plenty of ways to tweak it to fit your style and occasion.

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the boxed cake mix for a gluten-free mix once, and it worked wonderfully without losing flavor or texture.
• Different Flavors: Sometimes I use mocha-flavored frosting instead of plain chocolate to add a grown-up twist that everyone enjoyed.
• Extra Spooky Decoration: Adding edible eyes or crushed candy “bones” on top makes the graveyard scene even creepier and more fun, especially for Halloween parties.
• Vegan Friendly: Using vegan cake mix and dairy-free frosting worked surprisingly well on my last try, keeping everyone happy.

How to Make PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Devil’s Food Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and get a 13×9-inch cake pan ready by spraying it with cooking spray. Following the instructions on the Betty Crocker™ cake mix box, mix the cake batter using water, oil, and eggs. Pour the batter into your pan and bake until it’s just done—about 30 to 35 minutes. I always use a toothpick to check; when it comes out clean, it’s ready! Then, let the cake cool completely in the pan—this usually takes about an hour. Don’t rush this step because frosting a warm cake can turn frosting runny and a mess.

Step 2: Frost, Decorate, and Create the Graveyard

Once your cake is nicely cooled, spread the entire surface with that luscious Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Chocolate Frosting. I like to use an offset spatula to get a smooth finish, but a regular knife works fine too. Next, arrange the PEEPS marshmallow ghosts and tombstones around the edges of the cake for that classic graveyard look. Finally, sprinkle your chocolate cookie crumbs generously all over the top. These crumbs look just like freshly turned dirt and add a great crunchy contrast. Now your spooky graveyard scene is ready to impress!

Step 3: Slice and Serve

When it’s time to dig in, cut your cake into 5 rows by 4 rows, giving you 20 perfect, shareable pieces. This also helps keep the spooky decorations intact on each slice. You’ll find that each bite delivers the perfect mix of moist chocolate, creamy frosting, and fun marshmallow sweetness. It’s a guaranteed hit every time!

How to Serve PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple and sweet—those adorable PEEPS ghosts and tombstones steal the show! Sometimes, I’ll add a few edible candy eyes or drizzle some white chocolate “spiderwebs” for an extra spooky touch. Fresh mint leaves or edible flowers can add a surprising pop of color if you want to mix creepy with classy.

Side Dishes

For a complete Halloween dessert table, I pair this cake with spicy caramel popcorn, pumpkin-spiced nuts, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These sides balance the rich chocolate flavors and keep the “graveyard” spirit festive and fun.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I placed the cake on a black slate platter surrounded by little plastic skeleton hands and mini LED candles for an extra eerie glow. You can also add candy tombstones made from chocolate bark or use green-tinted coconut flakes as “grass” around the cake base. I love turning this cake into a centerpiece—it always starts conversations!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The cake stays moist, and the frosting softens just right. If your kitchen is warm, storing it in the fridge is fine but allow it to come back to room temperature before serving to avoid a dense frosting texture.

Freezing

Freezing the entire decorated cake isn’t ideal because the PEEPS and cookie crumbs can get damaged. However, I’ve frozen unfrosted cake layers before with success. After thawing overnight in the fridge, just frost and decorate fresh for best results.

Reheating

This cake is best enjoyed as-is, but if you want warm slices, I pop individual pieces into the microwave for 10 seconds. It softens everything just enough without melting the marshmallows too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This PEEPS Spooky Graveyard Cake Recipe is one of my absolute favorite Halloween desserts because it combines ease, fun, and that perfect chocolatey goodness everyone loves. The first time I made it, my whole family was enchanted by the little marshmallow ghosts staring back at them—it instantly became a tradition. If you want an easy way to bring a little magic (and a lot of smiles) to your seasonal celebrations, you’ve got to give this recipe a try. I promise, you’ll enjoy every bite of this spooky, sweet delight!

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