-
1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch-square, 2 1/2-inch-deep cake pan with cooking spray.
-
2
Prepare the cake mix as directed; pour into the pan and bake about 35 minutes.
-
3
Let cool, then remove from the pan and freeze 30 minutes.
-
4
Trim the domed top of the cake with a serrated knife.
-
5
Mark one-third and two-thirds of the way down the sides of the cake with toothpicks.
-
6
Slice the cake into 3 thin, even layers using the toothpicks as a guide.
-
7
Make the lettuce: Put the coconut in a zip-top bag and add 1/2 teaspoon water and 10 drops each of green and yellow food coloring; shake the bag to mix.
-
8
Add more food coloring as needed to make a lettuce color.
-
9
Make the tomatoes: Trim the straight edges of the gummy fruit slices with a paring knife to remove the sugary coating.
-
10
Make the bacon: Line up 10 cherry, 4 vanilla and 6 original Tootsie Rolls on a microwave-safe plate lined with wax paper, as shown.
-
11
Microwave the Tootsie Rolls until just soft but not melted, about 7 seconds.
-
12
Press them together, then roll and stretch into a long thin strip.
-
13
Cut the strip into 4-inch pieces, then mold each piece into a wavy bacon shape with your fingers.
-
14
Repeat to make another batch of bacon.
-
15
Spread the frosting on the bottom and middle cake layers; top with the coconut.
-
16
(Leave the third layer unfrosted.)
-
17
One at a time, cut all 3 cake layers diagonally into quarters.
-
18
Top the bottom cake quarters with some candy tomatoes and bacon.
-
19
Add the middle cake quarters, then more candy.
-
20
Top with the unfrosted cake quarters.
-
21
Skewer with long toothpicks.
-
22
Photograph by Karen Tack
