Witch Cauldron Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the cakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 1/2-by-3 1/2-inch bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour.
• In a large bowl, combine 2 of the cake mixes and mix according to the package instructions. Pour into the prepared bundt pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour and 5 minutes. Let cool in the pan until warm, then remove and transfer to a cooling rack. Spray and flour the pan again and repeat the process with the remaining cake mix. The smaller cake should bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
• For the decorations: Mix the pudding according to the package instructions, adding the neon green food coloring. Hold in the refrigerator.
• Slice about a 1 1/2-inch-thick slice off the flat end of the large bundt cake and set aside; this will become the top lip of the cauldron. Place the large bundt cake cut-side up onto a large platter or cutting board.
• Slice a little off the flat end of the smaller bundt cake to make a level surface. Reserve the scrap pieces. Place the small bundt cake cut-side down on top of the large bundt cake. Slice a little off the rounded top of the smaller bundt to make a level surface and reserve the scraps. Fill the center hole of the stacked bundt cakes with the reserved scrap cake pieces.
• Fill a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip with some of the chocolate frosting. Pipe some of the frosting onto the top of the stacked bundt cakes. Carefully place the 1 1/2-inch-thick piece of cake cut-side up onto the frosting to form the lip of the cauldron.
• Starting about an inch from the edge, scoop out about a 1/2-inch-deep well from the top layer. This is where the pudding will go.
• Pipe frosting around the entire outside of the cake and on the lip. Smooth out the frosting with an offset spatula. Carefully press the wafer cookie crumbs into the frosting. Brush off the excess crumbs that fall onto the platter.
• Cut about half of the candy bars into varying lengths. Arrange the whole candy bars and pieces around the bottom of the cauldron cake to resemble logs. Arrange the red hard candy in between the logs to resemble hot coals.
• Insert 2 skewer pieces in the cut sides of 2 of the donut halves. Press the skewers and donut halves into the side of the cauldron, just below the lip, to form handles.
• Carefully spread the pudding inside the well on top of the cake. Arrange the gumballs and nonpareils in the pudding to resemble bubbles. Press the gummy eyeballs into the surface of the pudding so they are partially covered.

Steps:

• Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Crumble cake into large bowl. Add frosting; mix well. Shape into 2-inch balls; place on cookie sheet. Freeze until firm; keep refrigerated.
• In medium microwavable bowl, microwave black candy melts and 4 teaspoons of the shortening uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 minute, then in 15-second intervals, until melted; stir until smooth. Repeat with green candy melts and remaining 2 teaspoons shortening. Dip tip of 1 lollipop stick about 1/2 inch into melted black candy and insert stick into 1 cake ball no more than halfway. Repeat. Return to cookie sheet. Refrigerate 5 minutes. Remove from refrigerator a few at a time. Dip cake balls in black candy (do not tap off excess). Place cake balls, tops down, on cookie sheet. Let stand until set.
• Spoon green candy onto flat side of each cake ball. Immediately attach licorice to look like handle. Poke opposite end of stick into foam block. Let stand until set.

Steps:

• Slice the top off the loaf, then scoop out the soft bread from the middle of the base, leaving the crust about 2.5cm thick all the way round. Slice the bread out in chunks for toasting to serve, or simply get the kids to pull it out with their fingers.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Brush the outside of the large 'cauldron' and lid all over with beaten egg, then roll the crust of the cauldron and lid in poppy seeds to coat - tipping them onto a big dinner plate first makes this easier. Sit on baking sheets, poppy seed-sides up, and bake for 10 mins. Set aside until you are ready to party.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the butternut squash, onion and garlic, then simmer until the squash and onion are tender. Drain really well, then tip into a food processor or blender with the soup, spices, chilli sauce and some seasoning and whizz to a smooth purée (or put back in the saucepan and whizz with a stick-blender). Set aside.
• Just before the guests are due to arrive, heat the dip in a microwave or saucepan - it should be nice and hot. Spoon into the bread cauldron, pop on the lid and carry to the party table, ready for dunking in the Sausage mummies (see goes well with), cucumber sticks and more toasted bread. And as the dip disappears, you can start to eat the cauldron, too!