Introduction: Kat Litter Cake -- Gifts Impossible to Re-Gift

By
About: Engineer making renewable energy products for African entrepreneurs.

Instructions to Make - Kat Litter Cake. What to give to someone that works in a vet's office and studying to become one (well, a veterinarian - not an office).

Of course, its not real cat litter. Like crab meat spelled with a "K" - so you know its not the good stuff :P

Other uses... I guess Halloween?

Step 1: Ingredients

Software

1 Box of chocolate cake mix (or German chocolate)
1 Box of white cake mix
1 large package of instant vanilla pudding (have an extra box on hand just in case)
1 large package of vanilla cookies (like Oreos, just white cookies)
Variety of tootsie rolls -- preferably the long type
Green Food Coloring

Hardware
1 BRAND NEW pooper scooper ;)
1 Cat litter pan -- or a large one time use deep baking pan
Food Processor (OR hammer/plastic baggie)

Step 2: Make Your Cakes

Follow the directions on the box and bake away. While its baking, proceed to next steps.

Step 3: Pulverize Your Cookies

Take 4 or 5 cookies at a time, and put them through a food processor set to "fine" -- repeat for the remainder of the bag - minus one to eat yourself.

Don't have a food processor? Grab a hammer or meat tenderizer. Put all the cookies in a plastic bag and remove as much air as possible. Seal it and pound away. Go for as fine as possible. This method is not as pretty in the end, but it works ;)

Step 4: Pudding Preparation Predicament

After discovering you bought large cook&serve pudding (and going back to the grocer to remedy). Make your pudding as per the directions. Cover and place in the fridge.

Step 5: Chill Out

The cake should be about done now. Insert a tooth pick -- it should withdraw dry. Dryer is better.

Allow the cake to cool -- putting in the fridge helps. The goal is to keep it from burning your hands for the next step ;)

Step 6: Letting Out Your Frustration -- Cake Destruction Method

Once the cakes have cooled to room temperature -- or a tolerable temp -- take hand fulls and crumble into a large bowl (big enough to fit both cakes). Do so to both cakes as to mix them evenly.

Our cake ended up more black than white -- this is not a big deal. I like chocolate :)

Step 7: Cookies and Pudding

Set aside 1/4 of a cup of your processed cookies in a small glass bowl.

Now, pour 1/2 of the remaining mixture in the cake bowl and mix well.

The tricky part. Slowly add the vanilla pudding to moisten the cake/cookie mixture. Don't make it too wet, but you should be able to easily form shapes with the mixture. If you should need more pudding, make a second batch. You can always eat the excess ;)

Step 8: What Is a Cake Without Poo?

Unwrap your tootsie rolls and microwave until soft/pliable (5 or so seconds depending on your wattage). Using your awesome knowledge of cat poo, round off the sharp edges and form these lovely delights. You will need at least 6.

Here are some examples for inspiration.

Step 9: Assembly - Part 1

Take about 1/3 of the cake/cookie/pudding mixture and pack it into your litter pan. By pack, I mean smash down to make it more dense/flat.

Place at least 3 tootiepoos on top. If you made more than 6 tootsiepoos - add half (and smash down) of the remaining cake/cookie/pudding mixture (aka - another third) and place all but three or four tootsiepoos (such a great imaginary word) on top of the cake.

At this time, add the remainder of the cake/cookie/pudding mixture -- and flatten evenly.

Step 10: Assembly - Part 2

Using the 1/4 cup of cookie crumbs set aside - add several drops of green food coloring and mix. Keep adding until about a uniform color. This will mimic chlorophyll type cat litter. In some cases (like ours), the color will clump. So instead, you've made the crystal type cat litter ;)

Evenly pour the remaining cookie crumbs over the flattened out cake/cookie/pudding mixture. This simulates cat litter.

Now, place at least three tootsiepoos on top -- flip them over so some of the crumbs stick to it (as if a cat shoveled litter over it).

Now, sprinkle the green cookie crumbs over the top.

Before serving, stick the scooper into the cake. If you need to store, just put some aluminum foil on top and chill ;)