Furry Monster Chocolate Cake for Allergy-Friendly Halloween

Cake Layers 

1. Set dairy-free margarine out until it reaches room temperature. Line the cake pans with parchment paper. 
2. Preheat oven. Mix up batter and bake the cakes according to package instructions. Once cakes have finished baking, let them to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes.
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   Note: If working with two 6-inch pans, prepare the second cake mix while first two cake layers cool. Once baked layers are cool, remove them from pans and re-line the pans with parchment paper. Pour remaining batter into the two pans. Bake and cool. We’ll only use 3 layers for finished cake, so put one baked layer aside for another treat. (Alternatively, pour one pan and use rest of second batter to make my Monster Cupcakes). Bake and cool.
3. Wrap the cooled cakes securely in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer on a flat surface overnight or for 3-4 hours, if in a hurry.

Frosting Cake Layers

1. Prepare the frosting in a large bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, mix margarine and vanilla using an electric mixer. Add salt. Combine 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar into the mixture at a time. If frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of dairy-free milk beverage. 
2. Divide half the frosting among 3 medium bowls. (Reserve the remaining half of frosting in large bowl in the fridge. It’s for the monster fur.) Now, color the frosting in the 3 medium bowls by adding 3-5 drops of one gel coloring (orange, purple, green) into each bowl. 
3. Remove cakes from freezer and level the tops with a serrated knife for an even surface. Smear a small amount of any color buttercream in the center of the cake board. Place the first cake on the board. 
4. Working from the outer edge towards the center, pipe a circle using green frosting followed by orange and then purple. (See inset photo.) Add the next cake layer and repeat the frosting pattern, beginning with orange, then purple, and then green. Stack the top layer, bottom side up. (The top is not frosted; it will get ‘fur’.)
5. Next, create a crumb coat with remaining colored frosting in the 3 bowls. Using an angled frosting spatula, apply a thin layer of all over the top and sides of stacked cakes. (This seals in crumbs.) Chill the cake in the refrigerator to set the crumb coat.  

Decorating Your Furry Monster

1. Prepare the second half of the frosting, using 4-6 drops of green color for the “monster fur”. Refrigerate until 5-10 minutes before you begin to pipe it.
2. For the eyes, roll a small piece of white and of black fondant to 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness, lay a piece of plastic wrap over both pieces. Cut out eyes and irises, attach with water, then attach to the cake. (See photo.)
3. For the mouth, using the fondant roller, roll out black fondant. Now, cut out the monster’s mouth with an Exacto knife. Color a small piece of white fondant pink (or light purple) for the tongue by dipping a toothpick in the color bottle and dabbing a small amount on the fondant. Use your hands to knead color into the fondant. Repeat process if you need more color. Roll out fondant to 1/4-inch thickness and cut the tongue shape. Stick tongue onto mouth with water and cut excess fondant. Now attach mouth to the cake.
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   Tip: Wear disposable gloves to prevent staining. Kneading the fondant will make it more pliable.
4. For horns, color two 2×2-inch fondant pieces. Twist and shape them into horns. Insert a lollipop stick halfway into the bottom of a horn, with at least 2 inches of stick still extending from the bottom.
5. To create the monster’s fur, pipe green frosting using an open star piping tip. Start at the base of the cake, piping around it. Continue to pipe stars around the cake, moving up a line, layer after layer, until the entire cake is covered in “fur”. Take breaks as needed, and see top photo for reference. 
6. Add any remaining fondant eyes or decorations you choose to create. And watch your cake come to life. This Furry Monster Cake is ready to delight all of your guests! Slice and serve. 

Looking for an alternative monster-themed dessert to serve at your celebration? Check out how to make and decorate Furry Monster Cupcakes!

Related: Ashley’s Teal Pumpkin Chocolate Layer Cake

Photo: Ashley Smith and Getty Images