Name: Stuffed Candy Corn Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 1 tbsp vanilla extract; 1 cup whole milk; Food coloring (yellow and orange); 3–4 cups buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade); 1–1 1/2 cups assorted small candies (M&Ms, candy corn, or sprinkles)

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Stuffed Candy Corn Cake is a festive and playful dessert that always gets attention at Halloween gatherings. It’s made of soft, colorful cake layers that mimic the look of candy corn — yellow, orange, and white — and it’s filled with candy right in the center for a sweet surprise when sliced. I love how fun it is to make and how it brightens up any dessert table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s more than just a cake — it’s a centerpiece. The colors, the hidden candy filling, and the deliciously moist texture make it perfect for parties. The surprise inside always gets smiles, and the flavor is classic vanilla with a light, buttery richness that everyone enjoys. It’s a cake that looks impressive but is actually simple to make using everyday ingredients.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter, softened
granulated sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
whole milk
food coloring (yellow and orange)
buttercream frosting (store-bought or homemade)
assorted small candies (M&Ms, candy corn, or sprinkles for stuffing)

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 8-inch round cake pans.
I cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
In another bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
I alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture until the batter is smooth.
I divide the batter into three bowls — one stays white, one I tint orange, and one yellow.
I pour each colored batter into a separate prepared pan and bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Once the cakes are cooled, I use a round cutter to cut a hole in the center of the orange and yellow layers (leaving the white layer intact).
I place the yellow layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, add the orange layer (aligning the holes), and fill the center with candies.
I top it with the white cake layer and frost the entire cake with buttercream.
I decorate the outside with candy corn or colored sprinkles to finish.

Servings and Timing

This cake makes about 12 servings. It takes me roughly 25 minutes to prep, 25 minutes to bake, and about 30 minutes to assemble and decorate.

Variations

Sometimes I use chocolate cake instead of vanilla for a fun contrast. I’ve also tinted the buttercream in candy corn colors to match the inside layers. For a shortcut, I use boxed cake mix — one vanilla cake mix is usually perfect for three 8-inch layers. I’ve even filled the center with Halloween toys or wrapped surprises instead of candy for themed parties.

Storage/Reheating

I store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting. It’s best not to freeze the filled cake, but the unfrosted layers freeze beautifully for up to a month.

FAQs

Can I use boxed cake mix?

Yes, I often do! One vanilla or white cake mix makes enough batter for three 8-inch layers.

What kind of candy works best for stuffing?

I like using small candies like M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or candy corn — anything small and colorful that won’t melt too easily.

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, I bake the cake layers a day ahead, wrap them tightly, and assemble them the next day.

How do I get even cake layers?

I weigh the batter before dividing it to make sure each pan gets the same amount — it helps the colors stack up evenly.

Can I make cupcakes with this recipe?

Absolutely! I bake the batter in cupcake liners, hollow out the center, and stuff them with mini candies for individual treats.

Conclusion

Stuffed Candy Corn Cake is the ultimate festive dessert — colorful, creative, and full of sweet surprises. I love how easy it is to customize and how it always brings a bit of fun to the table. Whether for Halloween or a fall celebration, this cake is sure to impress with its bright layers, creamy frosting, and candy-filled center that makes every slice exciting.