Miniature Castle Cakes Recipe

Miniature Castle Cakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking pan and six greased muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes for cake and 15-18 minutes for cupcakes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool cupcakes for 5 minutes and cake for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Cut the cake into six square pieces; place on serving plates. Frost cake top and sides. Position a cupcake on top of each; frost cupcakes.

For drawbridge, divide each candy bar into four three-piece sections. Center one section on one side of each cake; gently press into cake. Divide the two remaining chocolate sections into three pieces; place one piece above each drawbridge for door. Cut three nonpareil candies in half; arrange a half circle above each door. Press pretzels into cake on each side of bridge.

In a resealable plastic bag, shake coconut and food coloring until coconut is evenly colored. Sprinkle around bases of castles to represent water in the moat. Cut each stick of gum in half widthwise; cut one end to form a flag. Insert toothpick into gum. Trim sugar cone tips; insert flags into cones.

Place a nonpareil candy on two sides of each cupcake for windows. Frost backs of remaining candies; place one on the front of each cone. Position cones on cupcakes. Yield: 6 cakes.