We are back with another fun shape inside cake! We have easy instructions here so you can add make a pumpkin shape inside loaf cake for Halloween which is a fun surprise dessert that kids love.
It’s October and that means all things pumpkin y’all. Not just the flavor but the shape just needs to be everywhere, even in our treats right? Let us show you how to bake this cake in a loaf pan with two different colors and will make you smile. (affiliate links present)
Pumpkin Shape Inside Cake
Ok so you could technically do this with any two colors and any shapes you like, that is why it is just so fun. This one would be appropriate for Thanksgiving too of course so make it a few times for quick easy desserts your kids will absolutely love!!
First you are going to want to find or order a cookie cutter in the shape you want. Something with the least amount of twists and turns is best so the pieces don’t break apart. You will need a stem to make it look authentic but the rest of the bottom is nice and thick so in this case you shouldn’t have any issues.
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Halloween Surprise Inside Loaf Cake
In this case we made this in a loaf pan, it would be harder in another size as the sides would need to be deep enough for the shapes to stand up. If you have a really tall 8×8 square it may be possible though. We have instructions on How Long Does it Take to Bake a Cake of all kinds here for you for reference. 😉
You could technically do this with the outside of a different flavor entirely. Let’s stay you wanted to make our Banana Bread with Yellow Cake Mix you could, and color half of that for the shape. It wouldn’t stand out as much as the outside would be brown with specs and the orange wouldn’t be as bright but you could definitely see an outline for sure.
How to Make Shapes in a Cake
- Make cake mix as directed on box to create batter.
- Split into 2 bowls.
- Color 1 half orange with some food coloring.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray bundt pan lightly with non stick spray (or use sheet pan with high sides) and pour in orange batter.
- Bake according to directions on box, typically 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely cool.
- Once cool, remove bundt, slice into 1″ slices.
- Use a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to cut 1 shape out of each slice.
- Spray your 2nd clean loaf pan. Place cut out orange pumpkin cake pieces into loaf pan lined up with “stems” facing up all the way across.
- Holding them still so they don’t slice, pour the white or yellow cake batter around the sides and top to coat the shapes.
- Bake again at 350 for about 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely and then slice to see picture inside.
with Cake Mix
The easiest way to do this is as a boxed cake mix recipe for sure. You need just a few ingredients to make the batter which will fill 2 loaf pans exactly which is what you need to make this. And yes with that said there will be leftovers in the orange you bake. Don’t fret, I have an idea for that too because like you I don’t like to waste food. 😉
what to make with leftover cake
What we do with what is left in the colored pan is to break it up into crumbs. Let the kids do this part because it is a great excuse for them to actually play with their food and not get into trouble. 😉 Then mixed with frosting you can make cake mix cake pops with it!!
How to Bake Surprise inside Cupcakes
You can’t do this exactly using a muffin tin, it isn’t big enough. You can bake a surprise inside though with sprinkles or jelly beans that fall off when bit into though. I have directions for Surprise inside cupcakes here for you.
Easiest Halloween Cake
This isn’t the only combination you can make. Black, purple and orange are typically synonymous with this holiday but there are lots of other shapes you could use for sure. Think of a fun ghost that is white with a bright color on the outside. Made with a witch that is purple or a candy cane triangle if you’d like. This one just takes about an hour to do and is a fun treat for any holiday really.
Why is it called crazy cake?
Some people call it this but technically, Pumpkin Crazy Cake is a whole other thing….which you should try also. I guess it does look kinda’ crazy or wild and makes people scratch their heads when they first see it so maybe that is the reason.
You will have to bake two loaf cakes, one with a bright color and another with white cake or yellow to make the shape pop. Use a cookie cutter to cut the same shape multiple times out of the colored loaf once sliced into pieces. Line them up into the 2nd loaf pan covered with white batter and bake again. When sliced you can see the shape inside!
Yes, you can use 2 round cake pans, each with a different colored cake batter inside or follow our surprise inside loaf cake recipe where the shape inside is a different color! This idea is a lot more fun if you ask us.
You can just bake a cake that is colored with blue or pink batter with frosting over the top so you can’t see inside, or our way is more fun. Bake a cake in a loaf pan that is blue or pink. Cut out shapes you love and place inside a new pan covered with white batter, baked again so you can’t see the baby shape and color in the middle.
Pumpkin Shape Inside Loaf Cake
Equipment
- 2 loaf pans
- 2 bowls
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix, + ingredients to make batter
- orange food coloring
Instructions
- Make cake mix as directed on box to create batter. Split batter into 2 bowls. Color batter in 1 orange with some food coloring.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray bundt pan lightly with non stick spray and pour in orange batter. Bake according to directions on box, typically 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely cool.
- Once cool, remove bundt, slice into 1" slices. Use a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to cut 1 shape out of each slice.
- Spray your 2nd clean loaf pan. Place cut out orange cake pumpkins into loaf pan lined up with "stems" facing up all the way across in the middle of the pan.
- Holding them still so they don't slice, pour the white or yellow cake batter around the sides and top to coat the shapes.
- Bake again at 350 for about 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- Lift out loaf, slice and you will see the pumpkin in each slice!!
Video
@thetypicalmom How to bake a shape inside a cake is here! 🎂 #pumpkincake #pumpkin #recipevideo ♬ In The Kitchen – Giulio Cercato
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
