Cake Contest

A while back I entered a fundraising cake contest with a friend. We made a fabulous turtle cake and placed in the top five. We also made a second cake that didn't place but was instantly devoured at one dollar a slice, so it got its fundraising job done. The turtle cake was a fancy up-do to a cake mix and the other was a devils food recipe. Unfortunately, we did not have our camera at the contest, so I will have to upload a photo from my phone later.

Turtle Cake:

Cake

1 box devils food
4 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 lg instant chocolate pudding/3.4 oz

1 C sour cream

1/2 C warm water

Mix all ingredients and pour into two square or circle pans. Bake for 40 minutes at 350.

Carmel Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup light brown sugar

10 tablespoon butter, divided

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash of salt

1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Melt brown sugar and 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove from heat. Whisk in cream; blend well. Transfer to a heat-resistant bowl. Cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally.2. Place remaining 6 tablespoons butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer running, slowly pour in cooled brown sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating well after each addition until completely smooth. Chill slightly for a firmer texture, stirring occasionally

Chocolate Frosting:

½ C semisweet chocolate chips
¾ C butter
1 tsp vanilla
¾ C cocoa
3-4 C powdered sugar
½ C milk or water

Blend melted chocolate with butter. Add cocoa, vanilla and half of sugar. Add remaining sugar. Whip in milk to get desired consistency.

For Assembly:

Dulce De leche
1 C crushed pecans

1/2 recipe carmel frosting

1 recipe chocolate frosting

2 square/circle cakes

First, wrap and freeze the cooled cake, so you can slice it in half easily. I like to use a bread knife. Between each layer slather some carmel frosting, dulce and then crushed pecan. Repeat, then, repeat again. Frost the outside with chocolate. Then top it with a pile of pecan halves and drizzle with your favorite carmel topping. (I also used homemade)

Peanut Butter Cake:

Unfortunately I probably shouldn't post this cake and peanut butter mousse recipe because they are another bloggers and she shut her blog down. Please email me if you would like me to send them to you though. tammylakey@hotmail.com. As for the chocolate frosting...click here. This is a seriously delicious, slightly tangy, slightly sweet frosting.