SPONGEBOB CAKE

INGREDIENTS
Serves 12

1 box (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix, prepared as pound cake
2 chocolate-coated, cream-filled snack cakes (Funny Bones or Ho Hos)
5 plain bread sticks
4 chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies (Mallomars)
2 cans (16 ounces each) prepared vanilla frosting
Yellow food coloring
1 can (16 ounces) prepared milk chocolate frosting
1 each blue, white, and red taffy strip (Air Heads)
2 brown candy-coated chocolates (M&M's)
1 cup prepared dark chocolate frosting
3 pieces black licorice twists (Twizzlers)
Red paste food coloring
1 strip strawberry Fruit by the Foot
3 large and 4 small yellow gum drops, halved crosswise

START COOKING
	Step 1 - Prepare the Cake Prepare 9- x 13-inch cake according to package directions for pound cake version. Mark 1 3/4 inches and 3 1/4 inches up from one short end of the cake. Cut a small wedge from the two bottom corners, 1”x 3”, to be used for SpongeBob’s hands.
	Step 2 - Shape the Body Cut one snack cake and place on the bottom edge of cake to form the top of his legs. Cut the other snack cake in half on a diagonal for his upper arms. Trim breadsticks for lower arms (3"), lower legs (4"), and nose (1-1/2 "). Trim the thin side of the wedges you cut in Step 1 to 2-inch pieces for his hands.
	Step 3 - Frost the Cake Spoon 1 1/2 cups vanilla frosting into a small bowl; cover. Tint the remaining vanilla frosting yellow. Spoon 3/4 cup of the yellow frosting into a resealable bag; set aside. Frost the largest section yellow. Frost the middle and upper arms with some of the white frosting. Frost the lowest section and upper legs with the milk chocolate frosting.
	Step 4 - Frost the Breadsticks Heat 1/4 cup of the vanilla frosting until it reaches the texture of slightly whipped cream. Dip the longer breadsticks in frosting to coat and place on cutting board to dry. Repeat process with 1/2 cup of the yellow frosting. Dip the white legs in the yellow to cover half.
	Step 5 - Decorate the Cake Eyes: Using a small juice glass, lightly press into the frosting as a guide for his eyes. Fill in eyes with vanilla frosting. Cut 1-inch circles from the blue taffy for the center of eyes and use chocolate candies for pupils. Pipe an outline of dark-chocolate frosting around each eye. Cut the licorice to use as lashes and press on top of the eyes. Mouth: Use a toothpick to mark the mouth. Tint 3 tablespoons of the milk chocolate frosting red, and spread inside the marked areas. Cut a 2-inch piece of red taffy and shape as the tongue. Cut 2 rectangles of white taffy for the teeth. Pipe an outline of dark-chocolate frosting around the mouth. Nose: Stick a toothpick in the cut end of nose piece and insert into the cake on an angle. Cheeks and chin: Pipe a thick wavy border of yellow around the face and a circle of yellow on each cheek. Roll a thin line of red taffy for the chin and cheek outline. Press halved yellow gum drops into cake for the sponge holes. Clothes: Cut and assemble tie from Fruit by the Foot strip. Pipe outline of collar and tie. Press licorice pieces into chocolate frosting for his belt.
	Step 6 - Put It All Together Gently press the breadstick arms into upper arms. Attach the saluting arm with a toothpick to secure. Attach the hands with a toothpick. Place the breadstick legs below the thighs with the yellow side closer to cake. Roll thin pieces of red and blue taffy to form sock lines. Cut a 1/2-inch wedge from each of the 2 trimmed marshmallow cookies and attach the cookies (not the wedges) to the legs with a toothpick for the shoes.
Cook’s Hint Toothpicks are optional, but if you do use them, remember to remove all toothpicks from nose, arms, hands, and shoes before serving. Written by food stylist Karen Tack