Red Velvet Cake: Date Roaches and Googly-Eyed Ghosts

Name: Red Velvet Cake: Date Roaches and Googly-Eyed Ghosts
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar (200g); 3/4 cup vegetable oil (170g); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted (113g)); 2 large eggs; 1 tbsp vanilla; 1 1/3 cup buttermilk (320g (mix 1 1/3 cup whole milk with 4 tsp vinegar or lemon juice)); 2 tsp vinegar; 1 to 1 1/2 tsp gel red food color; 1/4 cup boiling water (60g); 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder (15g); 3 cups all-purpose flour (390g); 1/4 cup cornstarch (15g); 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened (283g / 2.5 sticks)); 20 oz cream cheese (room temperature (570g / 2.5 blocks)); 1 tsp vanilla; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted (100g)); Dates; Peanut butter; Chocolate; Edible googly eyes