The decorations on this patriotic dessert remind me of a fireworks display. Since the recipe includes both cookies and cake, people can take their pick or have both!
—JENNIFER LINDSTROM BROOKFIELD, WI
PREP: 1 HOUR 20 MIN. • BAKE: 25 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 12 SERVINGS
1package white cake mix (regular size)
1tube (16 1/2 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened
2/3cup all-purpose flour
12lollipop sticks
BUTTERCREAM
1 1/4 cups shortening
1/3cup plus 4 teaspoons water
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
5cups confectioners’ sugar
1tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon meringue powder
DECORATING
Red and blue colored sugar
Coarse sugar
Red and blue paste food coloring
1tablespoon light corn syrup
1. Prepare and bake the cake according to package directions, using two greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, combine cookie dough and flour. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut out 12 cookies with a floured 2-in. star cookie cutter; insert lollipop sticks into dough. Cut out eight cookies with a floured 1-in. star cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
4. For buttercream, using a heavy-duty stand mixer, combine the shortening, water and vanilla. Combine confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder; beat into shortening mixture.
5. Spread 2 cups buttercream between layers and over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle the top with colored sugar. Frost cookie pops; sprinkle with red, blue and clear sugars. Tint 1/3 cup frosting red and 1/3 cup blue; leave the remaining frosting white. Using a #18 star tip and white frosting, pipe a border around bottom of cake. Using a #4 round tip with blue frosting and an additional #18 star tip with red frosting, pipe four flags on sides of cake.
6. In a microwave, heat corn syrup for 10 seconds or just until bubbly. Brush over one side of small star cookies; sprinkle with red and blue sugars. Press onto sides of cake. Press cookie pops into top of cake.
NOTE Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Call 800-794-5866 or visit wilton.com.