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    Home » Recipes

    Graveyard Cake

    Published: Oct 16, 2015 · Modified: Oct 30, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This Graveyard Cake is a great Halloween dessert perfect for Halloween parties or gatherings. It’s easy to make and will be a hit with both kids and adults alike!

    graveyard cake

    This creepy confection features layers of rich chocolate cake, crumbled Oreo “dirt,” cookies with creepy zombie hands, tombstones and bones candy decorations.

    You could also easily turn this into an Oreo dirt cake using cake mix, pudding, cool whip, milk and sugar or make Halloween dirt cake cups for individual servings. This recipe is as simple as it gets by baking a cake and decorating and is just as delicious.

    slice of Halloween dessert

    Pair this Halloween cake recipe with a Halloween candy board and Hocus Pocus hot chocolate for the perfect movie night.

    graveyard cake ingredients

    Graveyard Halloween Cake Ingredients

    • Box of chocolate cake mix + ingredients on box
    • Chocolate or black frosting
    • Oreos
    • Candy decorations; zombie hands, tombstones, bones, Halloween sprinkles

    How to Make a Graveyard Cake for Halloween

    Preheat oven and bake cake according to box directions and allow to cool completely.

    frosted chocolate cake

    Once cooled, spread the frosting over top of the cake.

    Oreo crumbles on top of chocolate cake

    Pulse Oreo cookies into a food processor and sprinkle over top to cover cake.

    Write RIP on the candy headstones with a food marker and place throughout the cake.

    zombie hand and tombstone in chocolate cake

    Add candy zombie hands strategically throughout the cake as if they’re coming out from under the ground then bones and Halloween sprinkles. Enjoy!

    Helpful Tips and Variations

    • Get creative with other toppings such as gummy worms and candy pumpkins.
    • Can also use Milano cookies for Tombstones and black icing to write RIP on them.
    • Make it gluten free with a gluten free cake mix, gluten free Oreos and any other ingredients that need to be swapped out.
    • If you don’t have a food processor you can place Oreo cookies in a Ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin.
    • This cake recipe can be easily transported to parties in a 9X13 baking dish with a lid or disposable pan.

    How to Store

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight for up to 3 days.

    Halloween cake with tombstones and zombie hands

    FAQs

    Can I make this cake ahead of time?

    Absolutely! Make cake and decorate per directions. Cover and store on counter away from direct sunlight until ready to serve but no more than 3 days.

    Can I use other kinds of cake flavors?

    You could but the chocolate cake resembles the dirt for the graveyard. There are lots of chocolate cake options such as dark chocolate fudge, devil’s food, etc. Feel free to use what you like.

    More Halloween Dessert Recipes

    • No Bake Halloween Lush Dessert
    • Rice Krispies Treats Mini Pumpkins
    • Spider Eggs Halloween Treats
    • Bleeding Skull Cake
    • Bloody Skull Cupcakes

    Recipe

    Graveyard Cake

    This Graveyard Cake is a great Halloween dessert perfect for Halloween parties or gatherings. It's easy to make and will be a hit with both kids and adults alike!
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    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box of chocolate cake mix plus ingredients on box
    • Chocolate or black frosting
    • 1 (15.5 oz.) package Oreos
    • Candy zombie hands
    • Candy tombstones
    • Candy bones
    • Halloween sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven and bake cake according to box directions and allow to cool completely.
    • Once cooled, frost cake.
    • Pulse Oreo cookies into a food processor and sprinkle over top to cover cake.
    • Write RIP on the candy tombstones with a food marker and place throughout the cake. Add candy zombie hands, bones and Halloween sprinkles throughout and enjoy.

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

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    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. ken ohl

      October 16, 2015 at 6:01 am

      like the baby yellow chicks

      Reply
    2. Cheryl

      October 16, 2015 at 3:26 pm

      My favorite is PEEPS Milk Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Orange Chicks.

      Reply
    3. Jenna Parsons

      October 16, 2015 at 10:53 pm

      The chocolate covered marshmallow pumpkins are the best!

      Reply
    4. Julie Wood

      October 17, 2015 at 8:48 am

      I love the PEEPS® Milk Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Orange Chicks!

      Reply
    5. Lauren

      October 18, 2015 at 8:21 am

      I like Mike and Ike’s.

      Reply
    6. Julie Wood

      October 18, 2015 at 10:16 am

      I love the NEW PEEPS® Caramel Apple Flavored Chicks Dipped in Caramel Fudge!

      Reply
    7. Julie Wood

      October 19, 2015 at 8:24 am

      I like the NEW PEEPS® Tombstones!

      Reply
    8. David

      October 19, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      I like any of the chocolate covered varieties. The chocolate they use is very good.

      Reply
    9. Dawn Monroe

      October 20, 2015 at 7:14 am

      I like the original yellow chicks and the Christmas trees.

      Reply
    10. Julie Wood

      October 20, 2015 at 10:37 am

      I like the baby yellow chicks!

      Reply
    11. David

      October 20, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      My favorite are the Chocolate covered peeps.

      Reply

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    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

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