LEAVES ON CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 13x9-inch cake pan; set aside.
• Combine all cake ingredients except melted chocolate in bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed. Place 1 1/2 cups batter into another bowl. Add melted chocolate; stir until well mixed.
• Spread remaining batter evenly into prepared pan; drop spoonfuls of chocolate batter over batter in pan. To marble, swirl chocolate batter with table knife. Bake 28-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely.
• Place 1/3 cup butter into bowl; microwave 20-30 seconds or until melted. Add brown sugar; continue microwaving 30-45 seconds or until sugar is dissolved. Add all remaining frosting ingredients to butter mixture; beat at low speed until powdered sugar is moistened. Beat at high speed until creamy and smooth. Frost cooled cake.
• Use 1/8-inch round or leaf decorating tip to pipe chocolate icing onto cake in tree-shape. Decorate with dried fruit and nuts for leaves. Add candy ghost or owl, if desired. Refrigerate until serving time.

Steps:

• Wash leaves, and dry thoroughly. Set aside on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place chopped chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl, then place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
• Using a soft 1/4-inch pastry brush, coat the underside of each leaf with a thin layer of chocolate. Place the leaves into the refrigerator until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Brush the leaves with a second layer of chocolate, and chill again. When firm, carefully peel the leaf from the chocolate. Set chocolate leaves on baking sheet, and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.