United Cakedom: Treasure Chest Cake for Kids!!

from Cakes for Kids by Matthew Mead

Serves 12-16 (makes one 5-by-9-by-6 inch cake).Equipment

9x13 in cake pan
Waxed or parchment paper
Toothpick
Wire cooling racks
Glass measuring cup
Cutting board
Ruler
Long serrated knife
Platter or 10x10in cardboard base for serving
Small offset spatula
Deco bag & #47 weave tip

A 9x13 cake of your choice
3 cups of white frosting (choose a thicker frosting)
Yellow food coloring
Brown food coloring
20 small yellow candies (skittles)

Loot:

Ring Pops
Gold foil covered chocolate coins
5 foil wrapped mini Chocolate bars
5 strings clear rock candy
Chocolate golden nugget candy

Bake cake according to directions. While cake is cooling, tint 1/2 C frosting yellow. Tint remainder of frosting brown.

Place the cooled cake on cutting board. Using a ruler and serrated knife, cut across the cake using the diagram.

Cut the middle piece diagonally to create two eight inch long wedges. Diagram 1 &2. Level the top of one 5x9 in pieces, but leave the other curved to help shape the dome of the chest. Diagram 3.

Transfer the bottom of the trunk to the platter. Center one of the wedges on top of it, aligning the tapered edge with the back 9 in edge. Using an offset spatula, bond the wedge to the bottom with a thin layer of brown frosting. Spread more brown frosting on top of the wedge and then center the trunk top on the assembled pieces, aligning the back edges as shown in step 2 of the assembly diagram.

Decorate chest with long uneven strokes of brown frosting to make it look like rustic wood. Use yellow fondant or frosting, as I did, to make the lock and handles. Arrange the candies around and in the chest like pirates booty!