Mini Bundt Volcano Cakes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 (8-inch) cake pans, 2 (10-inch) cake pans and 1 (6-inch) Bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside.
• Beat cake mix, water, oil, and egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Divide batter equally between prepared cake pans.
• Bake 8-inch cakes and 6-inch Bundt cakes in oven for 35 to 40 minutes and 10-inch cakes for 45 to 50 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Remove and cool completely.
• To assemble, use a serrated knife to slice off the tops of the 8 and 10-inch cake so the surface of each cake is flat. Place the cut tops into a large bowl and break up to from large crumbs. The crumbs will be used a "lava rocks" at the base of the volcano. Slice the bottom off the 6-inch bunt cake so it sits flat.
• Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting between the 10-inch cake layers and stack. Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting between 8-inch cake layers and stack. Place another thin layer of frosting on top of the 8-inch layer cake and place the bunt cake cut side down on top. Place a dollop of frosting on top of the 10-inch cake and carefully, place 8-inch cake on top and center of 10-inch cake.
• Use a serrated knife to trim edges around the tops of both cakes to create a cone shaped cake. (Make angled cuts downward and leave a round base on top for icing to "flow" from.)
• To decorate, frost outside of entire cake with remaining chocolate frosting. Place the cake crumbs around the base of the cake. Pipe green icing around the entire bottom of the cake for "grass". To create "flowing lava" pipe red icing a quarter from the top of cake in downward strokes to the middle of the cake with ribbon tip. Repeat technique with orange icing, starting almost at top of cake and ending where red icing begins with slight overlap. Repeat technique with yellow icing starting at the very top of cake and overlap orange icing. Drizzle yellow and red gel coloring around the very top of cake.
• For the smoke effect place a few pieces of dry ice into glass candle votive. Place the votive into the hole of the bunt cake. Pour a small amount of warm water into the votive and watch it smoke.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Generously spray 12 nonstick mini fluted tube cake pan cups (4x1 3/4-inch) with baking spray with flour. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• In small bowl, place 1/2 cup of the batter; stir in 1 teaspoon of the pink food color until blended. Divide remaining yellow cake batter equally into cake pan cups (about 1/3 cup each). Drop 2 teaspoonfuls of the pink batter onto cake batter in each of the cake pan cups. Using table knife, stir in a circle 2 to 3 times to swirl color.
• Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Carefully loosen around sides of each cake with small, thin metal spatula; turn upside down onto cooling rack, and remove pans. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Place cooling rack with cakes over cookie sheet or waxed paper. In small microwavable bowl, add frosting and remaining pink food color (about 1 1/2 teaspoons); mix to blend. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds, stirring until smooth glaze consistency. If necessary, heat in additional 5-second increments, stirring after each, until smooth glaze consistency. Carefully spoon 1 tablespoon over tops of cakes (allow some frosting to drip down). Sprinkle tops of cakes with sprinkles.
• Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Steps:

• For the cakes: Cover the dates with boiling water and allow to rehydrate for 10 minutes, then drain and mash with the banana until smooth. Whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, brandy, vanilla, salt and egg. Sift in the flour, baking powder and baking soda and stir until just combined.
• Coat a 6-mini Bundt pan well with cooking spray, then coat with a 50/50 mixture of flour and granulated sugar. Tap the excess out, and divide the batter evenly among the cavities. Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then place a wire cookie or roasting rack on top. Bake the cakes until they spring back when lightly touched, approximately 20 minutes. Place the pan on the prepared rack to cool for 5 minutes, then flip the pan upside down on the rack and let sit an additional 5 minutes. Gently lift the pan to release the cakes, then cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a small saucepan, cook the evaporated milk and brown sugar together, stirring occasionally, until it becomes a thick caramel, about 10 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and salt, then whisk in the brandy. Add some ice water a teaspoon at a time until you have a glaze the consistency of maple syrup.
• Whisk the butter and glaze into the caramel until smooth, and allow to rest to thicken slightly, 10 minutes. Carefully dip the tops of the Bundt cakes halfway into the caramel, then place them back on the wire rack so that the glaze can drip down and coat them completely. Allow the glaze to harden, about 15 minutes.