Very Interesting Birthday Cake for Ryan's 35th: SPAGHETTI & MEATBALL CAKE

I'll be gone this weekend so I'll miss Ryan's actual birthday. Canaan & I made him a cake he'll never forget.

Because Ryan loves Spaghetti & Meatballs...

Spaghetti & Meatball Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (made with package instructions into 2 - 8" round cakes)

2 - 16 oz tubs butter cream or vanilla frosting

4-6 drops yellow food coloring

1/2 t cocoa powder

1 - 16 oz bag frozen strawberries (thawed)

white chocolate for grating OR sweetened coconut

Make sure the chocolate cakes are cooled completely.

Crumble 1 of the cakes into a bowl. Squeeze a handful of crumbs into a 2-3 inch ball. Roll between your hands until smooth. Repeat to make 3 total balls.

Sprinkle some of the remaining cake crumbs on a clean surface. One at a time, roll cake balls in the crumbs, pressing lightly to coat. Moisten cake balls with water if necessary to help the crumbs stick.

Put the 2nd whole cake on a serving plate or cake board or pedestal. Spread 1 tub of the butter cream or vanilla frosting on the cake with a spatula. Run it around the sides to make it smooth.

 

Arrange the cake balls on the cake.

Mix remaining frosting, the yellow food coloring and cocoa in a bowl; transfer to a pastry bag with a small round tip or in my case a Ziploc bag with a cut corner.

Pipe yellow frosting around cake balls in a figure eight motion to look like spaghetti.

Puree strawberries in a food processor until slightly smooth with a few chunks. Spoon 1/2 C puree around meatballs to look like tomato sauce.

Grate white chocolate or sprinkle coconut on top of the cake to look like Parmesan cheese. Serve cake with remaining strawberry puree on the side.