this is a decorating/cake sculpting project. learn how to transform two 13x9 cakes into a deliciously edible time bomb. this is a super fun baking project + pretty simple as far as cake sculpting goes. the finished cake shape doesn't deviate much from it is original shape. i did my best to give step by step instructions for anyone who might like to make a time bomb birthday cake, of their very own.....and, if you should take up the challenge, please send me pictures.

you'll need the following items to get started:
2 cake mixes
2 containers of cream cheese frosting
1 container of chocolate frosting
various serrated knives
black licorice whips
food coloring
2 or 3 rectangular crackers

Step 1: Step One*

bake two 13x9 cakes, i am pretty sure i used two basic yellow cake mixes. once there out the oven, chill on a rack till the cakes are cool enough to remove from their respective pans. now, sandwich the cakes together with chocolate frosting. place in the fridge for a few hours. the cake is easier to carve + shape when it has been chilled.

Step 2: Step Two*

remove cake from fridge + carve out the dynamite sticks. i am not sure how to instruct this part, cause i just made it up as i went along. it is nice if you have a few dynamite images around to refer to. also be sure to use a serrated knife. it helps to have a long knife for lengthwise cuts and a smaller knife for carving the rounded ends.

Step 3: Step Three*

now, frost the cake with the first layer of frosting. this is sometimes called the crumb layer, for obvious reasons. since the cake has been cut + altered you will have tons of crumbs migrating throughout your frosting. it is unavoidable + quite unsightly, so a second layer will be added later for presentation. i decided with this cake to make the crumb layer chocolate + the outer layer cream cheese. the darkness of the chocolate frosting underneath the red exterior frosting will help add dimension to sculpted areas...but if you strive for simplicity, feel free to make both layers the same.

Step 4: Step Four*

when the entire cake is frosted, place it in the fridge again for at least 30 minutes. the frosting becomes hard when chilled, making it easier to add more frosting on top.

Step 5: Step Five*

while the cake with crumb layer is in the fridge, start mixing up the decorative exterior frosting colors.

according to most movies + bugs bunny cartoons, dynamite is typically a nice red or terracotta color. when mixing colors it is best to start with a white frosting. i am pretty particular when it comes to mixing colors, weather it is printing ink, paint or frosting. so, i can assure you i will spend more than 30 minutes mixing colors. that is cool though, cause the longer that cake sits in the fridge the better. i typically use store bought frosting for something like this. add a little confectioners sugar to stiffen the consistency if needed. your frosting should spread easily, but hold it is shape.

**it takes TONS of red food coloring to make white frosting RED. i highly recommend using gel food coloring as opposed to liquid. the pigment is more concentrated + you will not have to use and an entire bottle of food coloring on one bowl of frosting. since this has to cover the entire cake, be sure to mix up a generous amount.

i have two accent colors to mix as well: yellow + black. the yellow is for the DYNAMITE + TNT labels. the black is for the digital timepiece.

Step 6: Step Six*

this was a 24th birthday party with a 24 (as in kiefer sutherland) theme, so i went digital with the timepiece. i have to say that a nice bubble face clock the likes of flavor flav would have been awesome though. in this case two rye crackers will be transformed into a digital clock. you my use graham crackers if you wish, i just had these on hand.

sandwich a generous amount of black frosting between the crackers. cover the top and edges with black frosting as well. now pipe on the digits with a little red frosting using a decorator tip. place the finished timepiece in the freezer.

Step 7: Step Seven*

take frosted cake out of fridge + begin applying the second layer of frosting. like i said before, the chocolate frosting underneath actually helps add a little dimension to your cake sculpture. use that to your advantage. avoid frosting recessed areas with your red exterior frosting. keep these areas dark with chocolate frosting.

Step 8: Step Eight*

finish frosting cake in red colored frosting, making sure to retain the "dynamite" look. frosting is a lot like spackle, if you have gaps or need to re-sculpt an area, just keep adding frosting till it looks right. add a few decorative elements as well, like piping caps on the end of each "stick" and writing DYNAMITE and TNT in yellow along the sides.

Step 9: Step Nine*

black licorice whips make for great time bomb wires. insert a whip or two into the end of each "stick of dynamite" then pull the loose ends together in a bunch + place on top of the cake. this is where your timepiece will be placed, so consider your placement.