Puppy Birthday Cake

• Heavy-duty cardboard
• Tacky (craft) glue
• 2 packages white cake mix (regular size)
• 1 package (10-1/2 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups crisp rice cereal
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 6 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup meringue powder
• 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 9 whole graham crackers
• 12 whole chocolate graham crackers
• 1 can (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• Green food coloring
• Assorted candies such as licorice, M&M's, Starburst and Tootsie Rolls
• Assorted cookies, crackers and/or pretzels

1. Trace patterns onto cardboard; cut out. Apply glue along base and one side of front of house and the adjoining side wall. Place walls at right angles to each other; prop with small cans. Repeat with second side wall and back of house. Apply glue along top edges of house walls; position roof pieces. Apply glue to joining edges. Let dry completely.
2. Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Pour 6 cups batter into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350u0b0 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Bake remaining batter according to package directions; save for another use.
3. For dog, in a large saucepan, combine the marshmallows, butter and salt. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Stir in cereal. With buttered hands, shape mixture into a dog shape, about 8 in. long by 6 in. wide. Brush dog with corn syrup; press coconut over dog to cover completely.
4. For icing, in a large bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
5. For doghouse, attach graham crackers to cardboard with icing, using a serrated knife to trim crackers as necessary. (Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.)
6. Tint cream cheese frosting and the coconut green; frost cake and top with coconut. Transfer doghouse and dog to cake. Add a candy leash, face and ears to dog as desired. (Heat Starburst and Tootsie Rolls in the microwave for a few seconds, then roll and shape into features as desired.) Attach facial features and ears with royal icing.
7. Attach a cookie name plate over the door with icing; add a name with cookies, crackers, candies or icing as desired. Add a fence and other decorations such as bone-shaped crackers if desired.

cardboard, tacky, white cake, marshmallows, butter, salt, crisp rice, light corn syrup, coconut, sugar, water, meringue powder, cream of tartar, graham crackers, crackers, cream cheese frosting, coconut, green food coloring, cookies

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/puppy-birthday-cake/ (may not work)