HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT CAKE

Steps:

• 1- Heat oven to 350°. Grease bottoms only of 2 round pans, 8 or 9 x 1 1/2 inches, with shortening. Make cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.2- Bake 8-inch rounds 33 to 38 minutes, 9-inch rounds 28 to 33 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around side of pans to loosen cakes remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.3- Leave 1 cake layer whole for body. Cut second cake layer as shown in diagram. Freeze pieces uncovered about 1 hour for easier frosting if desired. Cover large flat tray or piece of cardboard with aluminum foil. Arrange uncut layer and the pieces on tray to form cat as shown in diagram. Frost cake with frosting, attaching pieces with small amount of frosting. Cut slice off bottom of each yellow gumdrop use slices for eyes. Use black gumdrop for nose and shoestring licorice for whiskers, lines on eyes and to outline paws. Store loosely covered at room temperature.High Altitude (3500 to 6500 feet): Do not use 8-inch rounds. Make cake mix following high-altitude directions on package for 9-inch rounds.1 Serving: Calories 490 (Calories from Fat 235) Fat 26g (Saturated 13g) Cholesterol 55mg Sodium 340mg Carbohydrate 60g (Dietary Fiber 2g) Protein 4g. % Daily Value: Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 4% Iron 10%.Betty's Tip: Can't find black shoestring licorice? Use black decorating gel instead you can find it near the cake and frosting items in your supermarket.Cutting and Assembling Halloween Black Cat Cake* Leave first cake layer whole for body. Cut second layer to form head, ears and tail of cat.* Arrange cake pieces around uncut layer to form cat.From "Betty Crocker's Ultimate Cake Mix Cookbook." Text Copyright 2004 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.