Guests will "ooh and aah!" when you bring out this just-for-fun cake decorated to reflect the theme of an outdoor barbecue/grilling party.

Chocolate BBQ Just-For-Fun Cake

Cake:

1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix

Grill Lines:

1 cup peanut butter or butterscotch chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable shortening

"Hamburger Patties":

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

"Kabobs":

Fruit-shaped jelly candies or large gumdrops

Plastic or wooden decorative skewers

1. Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with parchment or wax paper; grease and flour sides and bottom; set aside.
2. Prepare and bake cake according to package directions using prepared baking pan. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack. Place serving platter over cake and carefully invert cake onto platter. Peel off paper. Cool completely before decorating.
3. For Grill Lines: Place desired flavor chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 30 to 45 seconds or until mixture is melted when stirred. Place mixture in a small reclosable plastic bag; cut off tiny section of corner (or use a decorator's tube and tip). Pipe mixture onto cake, forming grids like the top of grill. Allow "grids" to set before decorating with "Burgers" and "Shish-Kabobs".
4. For "Hamburger Patties": In medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, milk and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well mixed and has the consistency needed to form patties, adding additional milk or powdered sugar for correct consistency. Form "patties".
5. For "Kabobs": Thread desired candies onto skewers to form "kabobs".

Makes 12 to 15 servings.