Hallows Eve Pumpkin Patch Cake

This merry group of pumpkins are lounging in a patch of purple sotas - happily anticipating the arrival of Halloween. Sotas are so easy to do, even novice decorators won't be spooked by preparing this cake!

Serves 28.

Step 1: Make Candy Topper

Melt Candy Melts following package instructions. Pipe color details in 2-pumpkin molds using melted candy in parchment bag or disposable decorating bag with small hole cut in tip, or paint details using Decorator Brush. Refrigerate until firm. Position sticks and fill remainder of mold with melted candy. Rotate sticks to thoroughly cover with candy. Refrigerate until firm; unmold.

Step 2: Bake The Cake

Bake your favorite 2-layer cake recipe or mix in 8 in. square pan following recipe instructions. Cool in pan on cooling grid 15 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely. Stack layers on foil-wrapped cake board cut to size.

Step 3: Ice the Cake

Tint buttercream icing yellow. Spatula ice cake. Thin violet buttercream with corn syrup; pipe tip 2 violet buttercream sotas onto cake. Add tip 21 yellow shell bottom border.

Step 4: Decorate the Cake

Attach icing decorations to border. Insert lollipops into top of cake. Add additional icing decorations to cake top, propping up with dots of icing.