Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 10- by 2-inch baking pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and set aside.
Step 2
With an electric mixer, beat together three sticks of butter and three cups of sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Step 3
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add 2 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and half the flour mixture and mix at a low speed until just blended. Add 1 1/2 cups of milk, mixing until combined. Add the remaining flour mixture and mix to combine.
Step 4
Divide the batter into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
Step 5
Bake about 35 to 40 minutes in the middle of the oven until the cake is springy to the touch and a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the cake pans to wire racks and allow to cool.
Step 6
To make the frosting, beat the remaining three sticks of butter with an electric mixer until soft. Add two teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Step 7
While beating, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar one cup at a time. Add six to eight tablespoons of milk (half cup) and beat the mixture until light and fluffy. Start with six tablespoons of milk, and if the frosting seems too thick, add more milk until it is spreadable.
Step 8
Place one of the cake layers upside down on a cake plate and spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Place the second layer right-side up on top of the frosted layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with a straight-edge spatula, getting a smooth finish. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set the frosting.
Step 9
Print out and cut the Strolling Dora template. Place the picture of Dora on top of the cake. Trace Dora’s outline with a toothpick, remove the picture, and mark in the details freehand with the toothpick. Go over Dora's outline with a brown icing tube by tracing over the lines you made with the toothpick. Use the brown icing tube to make Dora’s pupils and to fill in Dora's hair.
Step 10
Outline and fill in Dora’s backpack (purple), shirt (pink), shoes and eyes (white), and socks (yellow). Outline and fill in her mouth with red icing.
Step 11
Mix some shredded coconut with green food coloring (two to three drops to a half a cup of coconut) and spread it under Dora's feet to make grass.
Step 12
Lightly dust a work area with cornstarch and roll out spearmint gumdrop leaves. Cut out a palm-leaf shape with scissors. Cut 1-inch pieces of licorice for the tree trunks. Use a small dab of frosting to stick the licorice to the sides of cake. Add three leaves to each tree. Use any leftover unrolled leaves to make a border around the top and the base of the cake.
