Treasure Chest Birthday Cake Food

HIDDEN TREASURE CHEST CAKE

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate and cream in large microwaveable bowl on MEDIUM (50%) 2 to 3 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1-1/2 min. Cool slightly. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating with electric mixer on high speed until mixture is well blended and of desired spreading consistency.
• Use a serrated knife to cut off top one third of cake. Set top aside. Place bottom of cake on large serving platter; spread with chocolate frosting. Scatter candies and some of the coins around cake as desired. Replace top of cake; spread with the remaining chocolate frosting to resemble a treasure chest.
• Decorate top of chest with string licorice and some of the remaining candies. Sprinkle wafer crumbs onto platter to resemble sand. Arrange any remaining coins and candy in "sand." Store in refrigerator.

TREASURE CHEST BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• In two batches, prepare and bake cakes according to package directions, using two greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to cool on wire racks., In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in the chocolate, vanilla, confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Center one cake on a 16-in. x 12-in. covered board; frost top. Top with remaining cake; frost top and sides of cake. With a metal spatula, smooth frosting to resemble boards., For chest lid, insert 4-in. skewers equally spaced into one long side of corrugated cardboard lid. Frost top of lid. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert star tip #21. Pipe a shell border on edges of lid and for handles on side of chest., Place one 7-1/2-in. skewer on each side of cake top, about 3-1/2 in. from back of chest. Position lid over cake; gently insert short skewers into cake about 1 in. from back of chest. Rest lid on long skewers., Arrange candy in chest. Cut a small keyhole from a Fruit Roll-Up; center on front of cake. Position strips of Fruit Roll-Ups on front and back of chest.