Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake
A moist pumpkin spice cake layered with smooth pumpkin pudding and crowned with delicate ghost-shaped meringues for a festive Halloween dessert. This american-inspired halloween ready in about 90 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 package (3.4 oz) instant pumpkin spice pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- 3 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- for ghost faces black decorating gel
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 cup pumpkin puree, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let cake cool completely while preparing pudding: whisk 1 package (3.4 oz) instant pumpkin spice pudding mix with 2 cups cold milk for 2 minutes until thickened.
- Step 7: Spread the pumpkin pudding evenly over the cooled cake.
- Step 8: To make ghost meringues, preheat oven to 225°F. Beat 3 large egg whites with 1/2 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Step 9: Pipe ghost shapes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, then turn off oven and leave meringues inside to dry for 1 hour.
- Step 10: Once meringues have cooled, arrange them on top of the pudding layer and use black decorating gel to draw eyes and mouths just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (45 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ghost Meringue Topped Pumpkin Spice Pudding Sheet Cake?
American halloween like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
