Surprise your trick-or treaters with this hauntingly-good pumpkin spice cake with a rich cream cheese frosting.

Pumpkin Spice Ghost Cake

Cake:

1 (18.25-ounce) package spice or carrot cake mix
1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
3 large eggs
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

 

Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (3-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
5 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
*Black string licorice, NESTLÉ RAISINETS Milk Chocolate-Covered Raisins and Halloween candy corn (optional)

1. For Cake: Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Grease and flour two 8 or 9-inch-round cake pans.
2. Combine cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, water, vegetable oil and pumpkin pie spice in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes or until thoroughly mixed. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.
4. For Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Spread layers and on top and side of cake.
5. To Garnish: licorice strings into ghost shapes; press into side of frosted cake. Use Raisinets for eyes. Arrange candy corn between ghosts on side and around top edge of frosted cake.

Makes 12 servings.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.