http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/ Crafts, Projects and Ideas, holiday craft projects, kids craft ideas. Free arts and Crafts for all ages. en 60 enlighten/misc/rss.jpg http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/goofy-spooks-halloween-cake-34/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/goofy-spooks-halloween-cake-34/ Attachment 68

Prepare cake as package directs. While cake is baking, prepare frosting and decorations (below).

Attachment 67

Frosting:
Cream butter and vanilla in a small bowl with mixer and medium-low speed. Mix until completely creamed together. Alternating, add cocoa and confectioner's sugar, beating at medium speed until creamy. Add some of the milk with the remaining sugar and cocoa until you reach desired consistency. You will use all the cocoa and sugar, but may not use all the milk, depending on your desired consistency. Set aside.

Attachment 63

Decorating the Cake:
When cake is completely cooled, pour the frosting on top and spread evenly. Carefully place your critter decorations (below) on top of the frosting and press down gently to set. Get ready for some happy faces!

Attachment 64 Attachment 65

Preparing the Decorations:
The key here is to use your imagination. We have given you a few examples, but create whatever critters you like! To see a close up of these critters, click here.

INCH WORMS
Using 5 gumdrops and two cinnamon hots per worm, line up the gumdrops, one in front of the other. Use a toothpick to create indentations in the leading gumdrop. Insert cinnamon hots for eyes.

ANGRY EYES
Place two large marshmallows next to each other, on end. Place a cinnamon hot in the center of each marshmallow for eyeball. Using two 2-inch long licorice vines, create angry eyebrows over the cinnamon hots.

SPYING EYES
Use miniature marshmallows for the eyes and miniature chocolate chips for the eyeballs. Use a toothpick to create a little hole in each marshmallow top, then insert the pointed side of the chocolate chip into the marshmallow.

CREEPY CRAWLIES
Using a toothpick, poke three holes completely through the sides of an orange jellied candy. Insert licorice vines for legs, poking through the other side and pulling them through. Use toothpick to create small holes in "head" and insert two miniature chocolate chips as eyes.

GOOFY EYES
Stand two large marshmallows on end, top with cinnamon hots or raisins for eyeballs, in cross-eyed fashion.

MARSHMALLOW SPIDER
Place large marshmallow on it's side. Use a toothpicks to poke three holes on each side of marshmallow to insert legs. Use licorice vines for legs, gently press into the holes. Use two miniature chocolate chips for eyes.

BUG EYES
Stand two large marshmallows on end, top with Cherry Heads for eyeballs.

SKULL
Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut a large marshmallow in half lengthwise. Cut triangular slits out of sides to create jawbone effect. Use toothpick to insert holes for eyes, use miniature chocolate chips. Cut a small piece off of a licorice vine for straight mouth, and a tiny piece for nose. Use a miniature marshmallow for the neck.

MUMMY IN A COFFIN
Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut a large marshmallow in half lengthwise, but not completely. Unfold the marshmallow and lay it down, open side up to create the coffin. Use a miniature marshmallow for the head, and body. Cut up a miniature marshmallow for the arms and legs. Use small pieces of licorice vine for the mouth and eyes.

Attachment 66

Serve!

About Author
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She and her husband live in southern Nevada. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine at http://familycorner.com She can be reached at WebMom@familycorner.com]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:55:16 Cake Decorating Cake Decorating admin en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/lemon-bar-flags-33/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/lemon-bar-flags-33/ Attachment 60

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Prepare the shortbread crust: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed low, and beat in the flour and lemon rind until well combined; pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the crust 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool the crust in the pan on a wire rack.

2. Meanwhile, prepare the Lemon Filling; In a 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 cup granulated sugar, the lemon juice, water, and cornstarch until well combined. Heat the mixture to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat.

3. In a medium-size bowl, with a wire whisk, beat the remaining ½ cup granulated sugar, eggs and the lemon rind until thick and lemon colored. Slowly beat the lemon mixture into the egg mixture until well combined. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.

4. Bake the cookies 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is firm. Cool the cookies completely in the pan on a wire rack.

6. Cut the cookies into 6 rectangular bars. Place the bars on a serving plate. Sprinkle confectioners sugar over the cookies. Create stripes across the bars with the red gel frosting. Place 6 blueberries in the top corner of each bar.]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:52:51 Cake Decorating Cake Decorating admin en http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/school-bus-cake-32/ http://crafterscommunity.com/crafts/cake-decorating-14/school-bus-cake-32/ Attachment 59

Thaw the pound cakes and spread about 1/3 cup of the creamy white frosting over the top of one cake. Top with the other cake. Add the Twinkie to the bottom cake with a little frosting in between to make it stick.

Tint 2 tablespoons of the remaining frosting with red food coloring; set aside. Tint remaining frosting desired shade with orange or yellow food coloring; frost sides, top and Twinkie.

Attach the edible accessories and using writing tip, decorating bag, and red-tinted frosting to pipe words on sides and back of bus. Side should be the bus number and back should say EXIT below the rear window.
About Author
Mary Ann & Kimberly are a mother and daughter team who love parties. They have two websites -- The Premier Party Informational Site http://www.thepartyworks.com and Enhancing Everyday Celebrations Site http://www.cakeworkscentral.com -- Be sure to visit them!]]> Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:50:06 Cake Decorating Cake Decorating admin en