Frosty the Snowman Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
• Frosting of your choice
• Assorted gumdrops
• red shoestring licorice
• 2 chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies
• peppermints
• marshmallows
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease and flour one 8-inch round baking pan and one 9-inch round baking pan. Line with waxed or parchment paper. Grease paper; set aside.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl; mix well. Add water, oil and eggs; mix until combined. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes; stir in sour cream. Pour into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

To Assemble Cake:

1. Arrange 8-inch layer for head of snowman and 9-inch layer for body on large tray or aluminum foil-covered cardboard about 18 x10 inches. Frost layers with Fluffy Meringue Frosting or Seven Minute Frosting joining them together as "glue."
2. Use gumdrops for eyes and nose, red shoestring licorice for mouth and muffler, peppermint candies for buttons and place a chocolate-covered cookie on each side of head for earmuffs. Place peppermint hat on top of snowman’s head. If necessary, place marshmallows under hat to support hat on tray.

To Prepare Peppermint Hat:

1. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange peppermints on prepared baking sheet to resemble hat as shown in photo.
2. Bake 4-5 minutes or until mints just begin to melt and stick together.
3. Cool completely.