Ideal for a young child’s birthday, the bear cake is sure to bring smiles to the guest of honor.
—TASTE OF HOME TEST KITCHEN
PREP: 1 1/2 HOURS • BAKE: 40 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 18-20 SERVINGS
2packages chocolate cake mix (regular size)
4ounces cream cheese, softened
1tablespoon butter, softened
4cups confectioners’ sugar
1/3cup baking cocoa
1/4cup milk
3cups flaked coconut, divided
Brown gel food coloring
5chocolate-covered peppermint patties
16brown milk chocolate M&M’s
2dark chocolate kisses
5pieces red shoestring licorice
1. Prepare cake mixes according to package directions. Pour 3 cups batter into a greased and floured 2-qt. round baking dish. Pour 1 1/2 cups batter into a greased and floured 1-qt. ovenproof bowl. Using remaining batter, fill six greased jumbo muffin cups and four greased regular muffin cups two-thirds full.
2. Bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes and cakes for 40-45 minutes at 350° or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cupcakes and cakes for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. Level the top of the cakes, four jumbo cupcakes and two regular cupcakes. (Save the remaining cupcakes for another use.) Place large cake top side down on an 18-in. x 12-in. covered board. For teddy bear’s head, place the small cake top side down above large cake. Position jumbo cupcakes cut side up for arms and legs. Place regular cupcakes on top of head for ears.
4. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and milk; beat until smooth. Frost tops and sides of cakes and cupcakes. Tint 2 1/4 cups coconut dark brown; tint remaining coconut light brown.
5. Sprinkle dark brown coconut over arms and legs. Leaving a 4-in. circle in center of bear’s body, sprinkle dark brown coconut in a 1-inch circle around edge of cake. Sprinkle dark brown coconut in a 1/2-in. circle around edges of the head and ears. Press dark brown coconut into the sides of the body, head and ears. Sprinkle light brown coconut over the middle of the body, head and ears.
6. Position one peppermint patty on face for nose. Place one peppermint patty and four M&M’s on each paw. Insert chocolate kisses point side down for eyes. Cut one licorice piece into two 2-in. strips; shape to form a mouth. Cut two licorice pieces into a 7-in. strip; place around the neck. Shape the remaining licorice into a bow; place below neck. Store in the refrigerator.