Introduction: Halloween Hedgehog Cake

About: In the "real world", I'm a very boring person living a very boring life. Fortunately for me, I don't spend much time in the real world. I have a new interest every week, sometimes every day, so I nev…

I got the idea to make this little guy when I realized that I had bought way too much candy corn. Way, way too much.

Materials used:

Candy Corn
Chocolate Wafers
Icing- Chocolate and vanilla
Assorted seasonal candies
A small sharp knife
An icing knife (or reasonable facsimile)
Decorating bags (or food storage bags)
Parchment paper

Cake of your choice...

Step 1: Icing

Start by icing the hedgehog's back with white icing. Don't worry about making it pretty because it will be covered up anyway. Leave a small area at the narrow end of the cake uncovered.

A note about the cake: I just happened to have these little silicone Easter egg pans that made the perfect little hedgehog shape. If you don't have something like this, then you can start with any shape cake or cup cake and cut it to the right shape. I used a cake mix for confetti cup cakes that worked quite well. Pound cake would also be a good choice, but any firm cake will do. If you don't want to bake a cake, just buy a plain loaf cake from the store (and tell everyone you made it).

Step 2: The Quills

1. With a sharp knife, cut candy corn pieces in half lengthwise. I found the easiest way to do this to avoid breakage was by pressing the point of the knife into the center of the candy and pressing down quickly.
2. Starting near the face, begin sticking the pieces in with the narrow, pointed end sticking up, angling them slightly backwards as you go. Continue until you have covered the whole body.

Step 3: The Face

1. Mix a little of the chocolate icing with the vanilla to create a light brown. Spread this over the area you left uncovered to create the face. To get the icing smooth, dip your knife in some hot water for a few seconds, wipe it off with a clean cloth, and gently go over the surface of the icing.

2. Take a disposable decorating bag (or any plastic food storage bag) and snip a small hole in the end. Fill it with a little chocolate icing. Make small circles for the eyes and the nose. (Or use a decorating bag fitted with a #2 or #3 tip if you prefer.)

Step 4: The Log

To make the log, stick two of the wafers together with a little icing, then cover the sides with chocolate icing. At this point you will probably want to transfer to your cake board (in this case an upside down plate covered in tin foil).

Next, ice the ends of the log with the light brown icing and pipe a swirly dark line over top.

Step 5: Placing the Hedgehog

Carefully transfer your hedgehog and place him so that he is resting against the log. Pull the parchment out and adjust the quills if necessary.

Step 6: The Finishing Touches

1. To create the feet, place a small amount of the light brown icing in a bag and pipe a more or less foot shaped blob on either side of the face. Pipe some dark brown dots/lines over top for claws.

2. Clean your cake board up

3. Add some seasonal candies, such as pumpkins and fall leaves, around the log.

Step 7: Bask in the Cuteness

All together now: Awwww!

Is there anything cuter than a hedgehog? Well, okay, there may be a few things. Sleeping babies, for example. But hedgehogs are definitely near the top of the cuteness scale.

I only wish I had of had time to make some friends for this little guy. But then, he is pure sugar from nose to tail, so one is probably enough. I would say a hedgehog this size is enough to serve two people, possibly 3 or 4 if you are having other desserts as well.

Now, what am I going to do with the rest of that candy corn?