Diego Cake

This layer cake, designed to look like Diego, is easy to make, especially if you follow the step-by-step instructions in our video.

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Ingredients

• 1 package (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix, prepared according to pound cake version
• 4 large eggs
• 1 box (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 can (16 oz.) vanilla frosting
• 1 can (16 oz.) dark chocolate frosting
• Brown and orange paste food coloring
• 2 black candy-coated chocolates
• Chocolate licorice cut in four-inch-long pieces
• 2 three-inch-long pieces strawberry fruit leather

Supplies

• Diego Cake Template
• 9x13-in. cake pan
• 4 plastic resealable bags

Directions

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9- by 13-inch cake pan with vegetable cooking spray. Dust the pan with flour to coat.

2. Step 2

   Prepare the cake mix according to the pound cake package directions. (Add the pudding mix, increase the number of eggs to 4, and decrease water to 1 cup.) Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth top. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool 10 minutes. Invert cake from pan and cool completely.

3. Step 3

   Spoon 1/4 cup of the vanilla frosting (Diego's eyes) into a small resealable bag and close. Mix 2 tablespoons of the vanilla frosting with 2 tablespoons of the dark chocolate frosting (Diego's irises) and spoon into a resealable bag and close. Tint the remaining vanilla frosting golden-brown with the brown and orange food coloring. Tint 3 tablespoons of the golden-brown frosting several shades darker (Diego's nose and chin) and spoon into a resealable bag and close.

4. Step 4

   Place the Diego Cake template on top of the cake. Using a small knife, trim around the template and discard the scraps. Transfer the cake to a serving platter or cardboard covered with foil. Use the template again to score or mark outlines of Diego's hair. Frost the top and side of Diego's face first with the golden-brown frosting. Spread some of the dark-chocolate frosting on the side of the cake (the sides of Diego's hair). Spoon the remaining dark-chocolate frosting into a resealable bag and close. Snip a small corner from the bag. Pipe Diego's hair on top of the cake. Place the chocolate licorice on top of the dark frosting.

5. Step 5

   Mark the center of Diego's eyes with a toothpick (Use the Diego Cake template for reference). Snip a small corner from the bag with the vanilla frosting and pipe the eyes. Snip a small corner from the bag with the light-brown frosting and pipe the irises. Add the candy-coated chocolates and a dot of vanilla frosting to finish Diego's eyes.

6. Step 6

   On a clean work surface, press the two pieces of red fruit leather together, overlapping them slightly. Cut out the mouth shape according to the template. Place the mouth on the cake. Snip a small corner from the darker golden-brown frosting and pipe on Diego's ears, nose, and chin.

Nurtition Facts

• Calories: 757
• Total Fat: 31g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 104mg
• Sodium: 592mg
• Total Carbs: 117g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 99g
• Protein: 6g