From CONAGRA FOODS

Featured Products: PAM, DUNCAN HINES

Makes 12 servings

Treat yourself to the nostalgic taste of frosted animal cookies, dressed up and baked into a bright and cheery layer cake! This pink-and-white animal cracker layer cake recipe is fun for the whole family.

INGREDIENTS

PAM Baking Spray
1 pkg (15.25 oz each) DUNCAN HINES Classic White Cake Mix
1 cup water
3 large egg whites
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pkg (11.3 oz each) frosted animal cookies, divided
Pink food gel
1 container (16 oz each) DUNCAN HINES Classic Vanilla Creamy Home-Style Frosting
1 tablespoon milk
Rainbow nonpareils

DIRECTIONS

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three 8” round cake pans with baking spray.

2.Blend cake mix, water, eggs, oil, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

3.Set aside 20 frosted animal cookies for decorating the frosted cake. Crush remaining animal cookies into coarse crumbs.

4.Place one-third of the cake batter in a small bowl, about 1 1/2 cups. Stir 4 to 5 drops pink food gel to the small bowl, until blended. Fold 1/2 cup of crushed animal cookies into the pink batter. Pour into one pan.

5.Divide remaining white cake batter evenly between two cake pans. Bake all three cakes 14 to 16 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on wire rack.

6.FOR THE GLAZE: Place 1/3 cup frosting in a small bowl and stir in 4 to 5 drops pink food gel and milk; set aside.

7.Place one white cake on serving plate. Spread the top with a thin layer of frosting. Sprinkle with 1/2-cup crushed cookies. Center pink cake on the base and press lightly to adhere. Spread a thin layer of frosting on and sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed cookies. Top with second white cake, bottom side up to ensure a flat cake top.

8.Frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Pour pink glaze on top of the frosted cake, pushing toward the edge to encourage drips down the side.

9.Sprinkle rainbow nonpareils on top of the glazed cake. Decorate sides of cake with whole cookies. Slice and serve.

Find this recipe and more holiday treats at readyseteat.com