This spooky cake is shaped to look like a coffin, with a mummy (also made out of cake) resting on top! The cake is very chocolate-y and is comprised of thick layers of devils food cake that are coated in a rich dark chocolate buttercream. The entire cake is then covered in a smooth dark chocolate glaze... and the mummy is frosted up in a sweet white chocolate buttercream, too. A perfect Halloween treat!

Pre-heat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (180 Celsius). Grease and line 2 x 8 inch (20 centimetre) square cake pans with parchment paper. Let the parchment slightly overhang the sides. Set them aside.

Place 6.35 ounce / 180 grams of the unsalted butter in a medium sized saucepan set over medium-high heat. Heat the butter, stirring constantly, until it is golden and melted. The butter will begin to foam but will subside as it continues to cook. Continue to cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally but not stirring, until it is beginning to turn brown in color and is slightly nutty in fragrance. Some butter solids should have formed at the base of the saucepan too. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the butter into a small bowl and set it aside to cool.

Next, place the finely ground espresso powder and boiling water in a medium sized bowl. Stir to dissolve the espresso then set aside the bowl aside until needed.

Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, soda and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt into a large mixing bowl then whisk in all the granulated sugar.

Add in the eggs, milk, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla bean extract and browned butter. Whisk to combine.

Pour in the brewed espresso then whisk to combine until smooth and glossy.

Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the tops have risen and spring bake when lightly pressed. A cake skewer inserted into the middles of the cakes should also come out clean.

Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in their tins for 20 minutes before turning out and onto a wire rack to let cool completely. Once the cakes have cooled, remove any domed tops with a cake leveler or large serrated knife. Set the leveled cakes aside for assembly.

Set 7.1 ounces / 200 grams of the finely chopped dark chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water set over medium-low heat. Do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the boiling water. Heat, stirring often with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. Set the bowl aside to cool to room temperature.

Next, cream 10.6 ounces / 300 grams of the unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment or with handheld electric beaters set on medium speed until it is smooth and malleable, 3 minutes. Add in 3.5 ounces / 100 grams of the confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Beat to combine, 2 more minutes. Pause mixing to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.

Pour in the melted dark chocolate then increase the speed to medium-high and continue to beat until the buttercream is thick, lightened in color and fluffy, 3 more minutes.

Once the cakes have cooled, you can begin to shape the cake. Stack the cooled and leveled cake layers on top of each other. Then, using a large serrated knife, carefully trim the cake away to form a rough 'coffin shape'. Reserve the left-over cake scraps in a large mixing bowl. The cake scraps will be used to make the 'mummy.'

Next, use your hands to press the left-over cake scraps into a rough 'mummy' shape. Add 1 tablespoon of the chocolate buttercream as needed to bring the 'mummy' shape together.

Next, set the first 'coffin' cake layer on a small cooling rack. Use an offset spatula to thickly frost the entire cake in the chocolate buttercream. Add on the second 'coffin' cake layer and use your fingers to gently press it on to seal. Frost the entire cake in the chocolate buttercream.

Attach the 'mummy' in the center of the cake. Thickly frost the 'mummy' in the chocolate buttercream too, then set the cake in the refrigerator to chill whilst you prepare the chocolate glaze and white chocolate buttercream.

Place the remaining 7.1 ounces / 200 grams of the finely chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Set it aside. Heat the cream in a medium sized saucepan set over medium-low heat until it reaches a light rolling boil.

Pour the cream over the chocolate and let the mixture sit for 1 minute before stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth and glossy. Set it aside to cool.

Set the finely chopped white chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water set over medium-low heat. Do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the boiling water. Heat, stirring often with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. Set the bowl aside to cool to room temperature.

Next, cream the remaining 8.8 ounces / 250 grams of the remaining unsalted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment or with handheld electric beaters set on medium speed until it is smooth and malleable, 3 minutes. Add in the remaining 8.8 ounces / 250 grams of the confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon of the remaining vanilla. Beat to combine, 2 more minutes. Pause mixing to scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl.

Pour in the melted white chocolate then increase the speed to medium-high and continue to beat until the buttercream is thick and fluffy, 3 more minutes. Set it aside.

Remove the cake from the refrigerator and set it over a small baking tray. Pour the cooled dark chocolate glaze over the entire cake. Use the small offset spatula to help spread it evenly over the top and the edges. Set the cake in the refrigerate to set the glaze, 30 more minutes.

Once the glaze has set, put the white chocolate buttercream in a pastry bag fitted with a large sized flat nozzle and cut off the tip. Alternatively, you can use a large zip-lock plastic bag for this stage.

Pipe the outline of the mummy with the white chocolate buttercream in a zig-zag motion to form 'buttercream bandages'. Lightly, scatter the crushed Oreo cookies over the top of the cake then set the cake back in the refrigerator to harden for at least 30 minutes.

When you are ready to serve the cake, remove the cake from the refrigerator and onto a serving plate or cake stand. Let the cake stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

The cake is best eaten on the day of making but can be kept for 3 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.