Cute Golden Doodle Dog Cake

Steps

• 1

  Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottoms only of two 13x9-inch pans with baking spray with flour. Make and bake cake mixes as directed on boxes for 13x9-inch pans. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, cut out paper templates (see Expert Tips below). Place cooled cakes on work surface. Place templates over cakes as shown.

  
• 2

  Cut cake around templates. (Discard cake pieces cut from around templates, or save for another use.) Arrange cake pieces on tray as shown. Freeze 1 hour for easier frosting.

  
• 3

  Tint 1 container frosting light brown, using brown and yellow gels. Spread frosting over entire cake to seal in crumbs, using extra frosting to attach nose, ears and legs on cake.
• 4

  Tint 1/2 container frosting dark brown, using brown and yellow gels. Using pastry bag fitted with grass icing tip (#233 or #133, depending on manufacturer), frost ears. Tint remaining container frosting light brown, using brown and yellow gels. Frost head, using grass tip. Create definition near eyebrows by applying additional frosting with grass tip.

  
• 5

  Frost remainder of dog body, using remaining light brown frosting and grass tip. Place chocolate-covered candies on face for eyes and nose. Cut licorice in 8 thin strips, and place on feet to define paws. Cut fruit snack for collar and tag, and place at neck. Use gel, if desired, to make dog's initial on tag.