Pumpkin Cake

I found this cake idea in the coupon section of the newspaper from Duncan Hines. The kids LOVED having a cake that looks like a pumpkin for Thanksgiving. Their recipe didn't sound that great to me so I concocted my own. It's more of a cinnamon flavored cake than a true spice cake, so the kids seemed a bit happier with that. The icing/coating takes a little bit of technique to make it really smooth, but still really simple.


1 yellow cake mix (prepared)
1 pkg pumpkin pie spice pudding
1 t cinnamon

Pour into a well greased and floured bundt pan and bake according to box directions for bundt cake. Cool in pan 5 minutes and turn out onto cooling rack.

1-2 can vanilla frosting
Green, Red & Yellow Food Coloring
1 Cake Ice Cream Cone

Take a small portion of frosting and color it green and frost the ice cream cone for the stem. Set aside. Melt the rest of the frosting until thin and color with red and yellow to make the orange desired. Place the cooling rack over a cutting board and pour the frosting over the cake to coat. "Bounce" the cooling rack up and down to get rid of ridges. Scrap off frosting from cutting board, reheat frosting and pour again, bouncing until entire cake is coated. Place cone in center of the pumpkin. I used a bit of extra frosting to make a couple of leaves and vines.

TOTAL COST: $2.66
Cake Mix $1.00 (Aldi's)
Frosting $1.00 (Aldi's)
Pudding $.66 (Meijer)
Cone and Coloring from stock

VARIATIONS:
I'm gonna try doubling the recipe for 2 bundt cakes and have them flip together to make a bigger pumpkin.