The Veggie Patch

Not only does this cake look like a backyard vegetable plot, the cake itself is made with a surprising array of garden favorites. The dense, sophisticated chocolate flavor will fool everyone!

Serves about 16.

Step 1: Build Garden Trellis

In advance, on waxed paper covered cake circle, arrange pretzel rods in trellis shape, attaching rods to each other with green royal icing. Allow to dry completely. Add tip 5 vines and tip 352 leaves; let set.

Step 2: Make Royal Icing Carrots

On waxed paper covered cake circle make tip 12 orange royal icing carrots by piping a bead with heavy pressure; decrease pressure as you move tip, bringing end to a thin point. Add tip 352 green carrot leaf tops. Let set.

Step 3: Bake The Cake

Bake Vegetable Patch Chocolate Cake in 13 x 9 in. baking pan following recipe directions. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. Position cake on foil-covered cake board.

Step 4: Decorate The Cake

Spatula ice cake with medium tinted green buttercream. Add tip 21 dark green buttercream rope bottom and top border. Insert pretzel trellis into cake. Sprinkle crumbs over cake top. Arrange marzipan vegetables and carrots.