FUNNEL CAKE MIX IN STORES RECIPES

Steps:

• *Cake recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens*Icing recipe adapted from SavorySweetLife.com(Note: You can use absolutely any cake you want, just as long as trinkets are added!)CAKEPreheat oven to 375 degrees. Thoroughly grease/flour a 9 x 13 baking pan (or spray with baking spray.)In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter until it's soft and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar in batches, about a fourth at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then mix again until totally combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating for 20 seconds on medium after each addition. Add vanilla and mix until combined.In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternate adding the flour mixture with the milk with the mixer on medium-low until all the ingredients have been incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and turn the mixer on high for ten seconds. Remove bowl from mixer stand and fold in trinkets so that they're evenly distributed. (Note that you can also tightly wrap trinkets in small pieces of aluminum foil if you prefer.) Use an offset spatula to even out the surface, then bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until cake is just set and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before icing.ICINGIn a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter until totally soft and smooth. Sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt, then add gradually to the mixer, scraping the sides as you go. (When combined, mixture will be very thick/crumbly.) Drizzle in cream and whip on high until smooth, scraping the sides as you go. Ice the cooled cake in the pan.Cut 12 to 16 slices of cake with a serrated knife, being careful not to tear out any trinkets along the way (most of them settle close to the bottom.)***Be sure to tell everyone that there are trinkets in the cake beforehand so they can watch for them!Each trinket means different things. Here's the tradition from my church:Dime: WealthRing: Church's blessingsThimble: Increased industryButton: Increased spiritual knowledgeBaby: Will know Jesus betterShoe: Will walk in the ways of the LordBean: King of Epiphany! (And the baker of next year's cake! Ha.)

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, 1/3 cup warm water, the meringue powder, vanilla and cream of tartar with electric mixer on low speed until mixed. Beat on high speed 7 to 10 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until very stiff. Tint with food color(s).
• Spoon 1/2 cup icing into small decorating bag fitted with small round writing tip; twist bag to keep closed. Keep remaining icing covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out; set aside.
• To pipe outlines or borders: Squeeze decorating bag firmly and steadily working counterclockwise to create an icing border. Release pressure on decorating bag to cut off flow of icing and complete border. Allow borders to set completely, 30 to 60 minutes, before filling in outlines.
• Uncover remaining icing, and add any icing from piping outlines into bowl; mix well. Stir in warm water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until icing is consistency of heavy cream. (Make sure icing is mixed well before adding next teaspoon of water so as not to add too much.) Pour thinned icing into squeeze bottle; screw on top. Keep squeeze bottle tip and any remaining icing covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out while decorating.
• To flood or glaze: Using squeeze bottle, fill inside with thinned icing. Use nozzle of squeeze bottle or small metal icing spatula to fill in all areas until completely covered. If decorating with sprinkles, let stand 1 to 2 minutes before adding, so the sprinkles adhere. Let stand about 3 hours or until completely dry. Outlines and floods 30 (3-inch) sugar cookie shapes. Cover and store any remaining icing.