No. 1 Cutout Cake

Steps

• 1

  Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottom only of 8x4-inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray, and place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups.
• 2

  In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth. Place 1 3/4 cups batter into loaf pan. Spoon remaining batter into muffin cups.
• 3

  Bake loaf cake 35 to 40 minutes and cupcakes 18 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. For easier handling, refrigerate or freeze loaf cake 30 to 60 minutes or until firm.
• 4

  Stir together 1/2 cup frosting and green food color to desired color. Spoon green frosting into decorating bag fitted with small round tip; set aside.
• 5

  Trim rounded top off loaf cake. Place loaf cake cut side down on plate. Trim cake into number one shape using template (template can be found under the Tips below) as a guide. Frost sides and top of cake with white frosting. Pipe green frosting into stripes on cake. Use remaining frosting to frost cupcakes.