1 pk Yellow cake mix, 18.25 oz 1 tb Grated orange peel 1 c Softened butter 1 1/2 pk Softened cream cheese, 8 oz 1 1/2 ts Vanilla 1 1/2 pk Confectioners sugar, 16 oz Green food coloring Assorted decorations: small Candies, Colored sugars, assorted Sprinkles, nonpareils, small Caramel rolls, Licorice sticks (cut in 1 -1/2 in. pieces)
Heat oven to 350. Grease 15 1/2* 10 1/2* 1″ jelly roll pan; line with waxed
paper; grease paper. Prepare cake mix according to pack directions for
“lite” recipe, beating in orange peel. Pour batter into pan; bake 20
minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool cake in pan at least 15
minutes. Invert onto board covered with waxed paper; lift off pan; peel
away paper from bottom of cake. Cool completely. While cake cools, from
lightweight cardboard, cut triangle pattern in one or more of the following
sizes: 4″ base, 5 1/2″ sides; 3″ base, 4″ sides; 2 1/2″ base, 3 1/2″ sides;
2 1/4″ base, 2 3/4″ sides. Using cardboard patterns, cut triangles of cake,
turning & fitting patterns, as necessary, to use all of cake. Take care to
remove waxed paper from under cake. In large bowl with mixer at medium
speed, beat butter, cream cheese & vanilla until light & fluffy. Gradually
beat in confectioners sugar; beat 5-7 minutes until thoroughly blended &
smooth. Remove half of frosting & stir in green food coloring to desired
shade. Using flexible metal spatula, spread frosting over top & sides of
cake triangle, smoothing it on or swirling gently to resemble tree
branches. Decorate cakes as desired with candies, colored sugars, assorted
sprinkles & nonpareils. Using tip of small knife, gently hollow out small
area in center of bottom edge of each tree; insert caramel roll or licorice
sticks for trunks.
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