Treasure Chest Birthday Cake

Name: Treasure Chest Birthday Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 24 servings.
Ingredients: 2 packages chocolate cake mix (regular size); 1-1/3 cups butter, softened; 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled; 6 teaspoons vanilla extract; 7-1/2 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar; 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk; 5 wooden skewers (three 4 inches, two 7-1/2 inches); Foil-covered heavy corrugated cardboard (12 inches x 7-1/2 inches); Candy necklaces, foil-covered chocolate coins, candy rings or candies of your choice; 2 pieces berry tie-dye Fruit Roll-Ups

Swashbucklers of all ages were eager to seize a chocolaty piece of this birthday cake, although some guests thought it was too cute to cut! Folks were impressed with this edible pirate's treasure chest and loved the rich chocolate icing. —Sharon Hanson, Franklin, Tennessee

Ingredients

2 packages chocolate cake mix (regular size)
1-1/3 cups butter, softened
8 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
6 teaspoons vanilla extract
7-1/2 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup milk
5 wooden skewers (three 4 inches, two 7-1/2 inches)
Foil-covered heavy corrugated cardboard (12 inches x 7-1/2 inches)
Candy necklaces, foil-covered chocolate coins, candy rings or candies of your choice
2 pieces berry tie-dye Fruit Roll-Ups

Directions

In two batches, prepare and bake cakes according to package directions, using two greased and floured 13-in. x 9-in. baking pans. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to cool on wire racks.
In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in the chocolate, vanilla, confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Center one cake on a 16-in. x 12-in. covered board; frost top. Top with remaining cake; frost top and sides of cake. With a metal spatula, smooth frosting to resemble boards.
For chest lid, insert 4-in. skewers equally spaced into one long side of corrugated cardboard lid. Frost top of lid. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert star tip #21. Pipe a shell border on edges of lid and for handles on side of chest.
Place one 7-1/2-in. skewer on each side of cake top, about 3-1/2 in. from back of chest. Position lid over cake; gently insert short skewers into cake about 1 in. from back of chest. Rest lid on long skewers.
Arrange candy in chest. Cut a small keyhole from a Fruit Roll-Up; center on front of cake. Position strips of Fruit Roll-Ups on front and back of chest.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece (calculated without candies): 539 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 424mg sodium, 77g carbohydrate (57g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.

Originally published as Treasure Chest Birthday Cake in Taste of Home August/September 2001

Reviews

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lemondedis

Jul 16, 2013

superbe ! mon petit pirate va l'adorer ! j'ai créé un lien ici : http://pinterest.com/lemondedis/fetes-pour-les-p-***-chats/
aed220

Jan 5, 2013

This came out AWESOME for my son's pirate birthday! It was fun for my Mom and I to make together, and everyone loved it, especially the birthday boy!
chickety

Oct 13, 2012

Made this for my grandsons 3rd birthday party. It was alot of fun and pretty easy to do.
jbrenton

Jul 7, 2010

This cake is simple to make and looks great! Huge hit with the kids!
puffybloomers

Mar 19, 2010

make this for my sons 25th birthday. we loved it. very cute
bkbuckley

Nov 4, 2009

I made this for my grandson's birthday in September. All the kid's loved it!! They couldn't believe I made it. It was a big hit with all ages.
countess cookie

May 24, 2009

This cake is awesome! It is relatively simple to make and turns out looking fabulous!! It is perfect for a birthday party.
mama24peas

Jan 8, 2008

This recipe is soooo yummy!My kids loveit!email me at [email protected]