Friendly Flaming Ghost Cake
1 9 by 13-inch cake, removed from pan
1 recipe Waldorf-Astoria Frosting (recipe is below!) OR any white
frosting
7 small candies for mouth (your choice:M&Ms, jelly beans, candy
corn, etc.)
1 eggshell, halved, washed, membrane removed
2 sugar cubes
1/4 tsp. lemon extract (freshly opened, please, or it may not
flame*)
WALDORF-ASTORIA FROSTING:
5 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1 cup butter
1/2 cup solid shortening (white (original), not butter-flavored,
which is pale yellow)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
Place the cake in front of you so that it's tall rather than wide.
Shape the cake by cutting 2 pieces off the top to form a primitive
ghost shape. These cut pieces will be used to form the ghost's
upheld arms; a bit of the frosting will help to keep them attached
to the body.
Frost the entire ghost. If you add frosting peaks at the top he'll
look like he has some hair. Each ghost will look unique! Place the
candies to represent the mouth. Position the eggshells to represent
eyes and place a sugar cube in each shell.
Just before serving, pour the lemon extract equally over the 2
cubes, making sure you don't spill any on the cake. Ignite the cubes
and serve! It's a really nice effect, especially with the lights
out!
WALDORF-ASTORIA FROSTING:
Place flour in a small saucepan and slowly stir in milk until a
paste forms. Add remaining milk and heat over medium heat until
thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, solid shortening and sugar
together for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla.
Stir in cooled milk and flour mixture and salt. Place in
refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Beat for a few seconds again
before using.
* This is the warning that came with the recipe. I suppose if you
have an ancient bottle of lemon extract there's a possibility of it
not flaming, but I've used the same bottle a few years in a row. I
just test it for flammability before I'm ready to light the cake so
that we aren't disappointed. |