Big and Green Frankenstein Monster Cake

Halloween desserts are supposed to be festive and fun.  If you don't have the patience to labor over a detailed dessert, this Frankenstein monster cake is for you.  You can pick up the boxed cake mix and most of the decorating materials at your local grocery store.  While the recipe recommends to make a chocolate cake, you can certainly bake your favorite flavor.  If you are feeling super creative, you can adjust the decorating instructions slightly to make a Bride of Frankenstein cake to serve alongside.  Frost a quarter of the cake with white icing and using a ribbon tip, pipe alternating black lines to make the hair.  For the lips, use red decorating gels.   

Frankenstein Monster Cake

1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ chocolate fudge cake mix (water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box)
1 container Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy creamy white frosting
Black food color
Betty Crocker™ green neon gel food color 
Betty Crocker™ black decorating icing (from 4.25-oz tube)
2 pieces black string licorice (5 to 6 inch)

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make and bake cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Place cake, bottom side up, on large platter or foil-covered cookie sheet. Remove 2 tablespoons of white frosting from container; set aside. Remove one-third of the frosting (about 1/2 cup) to small bowl. Tint black; set aside. Tint remaining frosting neon green. Frost sides and top of cake with neon green frosting.

Using picture as a guide, use decorating icing with a round tip to outline hair. Add licorice pieces for eyebrows. Use reserved white frosting to form eyes. Use icing to outline remaining facial features. Spread black frosting within the outlines to fill in the hair. Store loosely covered.

Tips:

To remove cake from pan, place cooling rack over pan. Carefully turn over; lift off pan.

Create an attractive display by covering a piece of sturdy cardboard with wrapping paper, then plastic food wrap. Stretch and secure with tape. Or cover cardboard with foil or cooking parchment paper.

Use 2 white candy melts or coating wafers instead of frosting to make the white part of the eyes.