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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes |
Ready In: 20 Minutes Servings: 24 |
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I made this cute pooch from crispy rice cereal, and his doghouse from graham crackers. Our son's face lit up when I presented the finished cake at his second birthday party. Ingredients:
patterns below |
heavy-duty cardboard |
tacky (craft) glue |
2 packages white cake mix (regular size) |
dog: |
1 package (10-1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows |
3 tablespoons butter |
1/8 teaspoon salt |
6 cups crisp rice cereal |
3 tablespoons light corn syrup |
1-1/2 cups flaked coconut |
royal icing: |
6 cups confectioners' sugar |
1/2 cup water |
1/4 cup meringue powder |
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar |
doghouse: |
9 whole graham crackers |
12 whole chocolate graham crackers |
finishing touches: |
1 can (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting |
2 cups flaked coconut |
green food coloring |
m&m's® brand chocolate candies such as licorice, m&m's, starburst and tootsie rolls |
assorted cookies, crackers and/or pretzels |
Directions:
1. Trace patterns onto cardboard; cut out. Apply glue along base and one side of front of house and the adjoining side wall. Place walls at right angles to each other; prop with small cans. Repeat with second side wall and back of house. Apply glue along top edges of house walls; position roof pieces. Apply glue to joining edges. Let dry completely.
2. Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Pour 6 cups batter into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Bake remaining batter according to package directions; save for another use.
3. For dog, in a large saucepan, combine the marshmallows, butter and salt. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Stir in cereal. With buttered hands, shape mixture into a dog shape, about 8 in. long by 6 in. wide. Brush dog with corn syrup; press coconut over dog to cover completely.
4. For icing, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
5. For doghouse, attach graham crackers to cardboard with icing, using a serrated knife to trim crackers as necessary. (Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.)
6. Tint cream cheese frosting and the coconut green; frost cake and top with coconut. Transfer doghouse and dog to cake. Add a candy leash, face and ears to dog as desired. (Heat Starburst and Tootsie Rolls in the microwave for a few seconds, then roll and shape into features as desired.) Attach facial features and ears with royal icing.
7. Attach a cookie name plate over the door with icing; add a name with cookies, crackers, candies or icing as desired. Add a fence and other decorations such as bone-shaped crackers if desired. Yield: 24 servings.
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