Cauldron Cookies Recipes

Steps:

• Cream the butter in a large cast-iron cauldron (or mixing bowl).
• Gradually add the brown sugar, beating well.
• Add the eggs, lemon juice, and zest and then beat by hand or with an electric mixer until the mixture is well blended.
• The next step is to stir in the flour and pecans.
• Cover the cauldron with a lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready, shape the dough into one-inch balls and place them about three inches apart on greased cookie sheets.
• Bake in a 375° preheated oven for approximately 8 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and place on wire racks until completely cool.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat four 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mixes; divide the batter among the pans and bake and cool as directed. Meanwhile, prepare the gelatin as directed.
• Level the domed tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife. Stack 3 of the cakes on a small cardboard circle with a thin layer of chocolate frosting between each cake. Freeze at least 30 minutes.
• Put the 3-layer cake on an upside-down cake pan (so trimming will be easier). Using a small serrated knife, trim the bottom edge of the cake to round it out, then round out the top edge. Frost the top.
• Set the remaining cake layer on top of the 3-layer cake; freeze at least 30 minutes. Trim around this layer at an angle, cutting inward so it resembles a shallow bowl.
• Cut and scoop out the center of the top cake layer, about 6 inches wide and 2 inches deep. Cover the inside of the hole with the white frosting.
• Dye the remaining chocolate frosting black. Cover the exposed cake with a thin layer of black frosting; freeze about 20 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting (reserve about 1 tablespoon). Return the cake to the freezer.
• Once the gelatin is firm, stir until clumpy. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Make the flames: Using a paring knife, cut the gummy fruit slices in half to make 2 thinner slices. Press a few pieces of different colors together with your fingers as shown. Repeat to make about 20 flames.
• Press the flames around the bottom of the cake. Cut off one-third of each doughnut. Using the reserved black frosting as glue, press the doughnuts into the sides of the cake for handles. Add the gelatin just before serving.