CARROT SHAPED RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray 1 (9 x 5-inch) loaf pan with cooking spray. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Place paper baking cup in each of 9 regular-size muffin cups.
• Make cake mix as directed on box using water, oil and eggs. Pour 2 1/2 cups of batter in loaf pan; pour remaining batter evenly into muffin cups. Bake loaf 40 minutes; bake cupcakes 20 minutes. Cool loaf in pan 5 minutes; remove cake from loaf pan and cupcakes to cooling racks. Cool cupcakes and loaf completely, about 1 hour.
• Using long serrated knife, trim triangle-shaped piece from corners of one end of loaf; reserve pieces. With knife, round corners of other short end of loaf.
• For the frosting: in large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until frosting is smooth and spreadable. In small bowl, mix 1/2 cup frosting with green color until desired color. In large bowl, mix remaining frosting and orange color until desired color.
• Bring reserved cut edges together at the bottom of cake to form carrot tip. Hold together with some of the orange frosting. Use remaining orange frosting to frost carrot. Use green frosting to make the carrot top. Use remaining orange and green frosting to create carrots and carrot tops on cupcakes. Serve cupcakes with cake.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Line 13x9-inch pan with foil, allowing some to hang over sides of pan. Spray bottom and sides of foil with cooking spray. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread in pan.
• Bake 22 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 hour. Freeze in pan 30 minutes.
• Using foil to lift, remove brownies from pan, and carefully peel foil away. In small bowl, place frosting; stir in food color until blended. Spread frosting over top. For easier cutting, refrigerate 15 minutes to set frosting.
• Cut brownies into 24 triangles as shown in diagram: Using sharp knife, cut 3 horizontal rows. Cut each row into 8 triangles so each triangle has a 2-inch wide base, cleaning knife with paper towel after each cut. Set aside end pieces for snacking.
• To make greens for carrot: With sharp knife or scissors, cut each licorice twist into 3 pieces. For each piece, make 2 to 3 cuts lengthwise to make thin green strips, cutting almost to end of piece but not all the way, so it remains attached at one end. Using tip of small paring knife, cut small opening about 1/2-inch deep in short end of each triangle. Insert licorice piece into opening. Repeat with remaining licorice pieces and brownie triangles.
• If desired, use a small brush to lightly dab cocoa onto top of frosted brownie for an “earthy” carrot look. Store loosely covered in single layer in container.