Cheeseburger Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2 1/2-quart ovenproof bowl and two 8-inch-round cake pans with cooking spray.
2. 2
   Beat the cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil in a large bowl with a mixer.
3. 3
   Divide the batter among the bowl and pans; bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes for the pans and about 45 minutes for the bowl.
4. 4
   Cool in the pans 15 minutes, then unmold onto racks.
5. 5
   Make the lettuce: Sprinkle some green or white sugar on a cutting board.
6. 6
   Roll out the spearmint candies to 1/8 inch thick with a rolling pin, sprinkling with more sugar to keep the candies from sticking.
7. 7
   Cut each flattened gummy piece into 3 strips.
8. 8
   Fold each strip accordion-style to make ruffles; pinch the ends together.
9. 9
   Make the cheese: Roll out the orange fondant on a cornstarch-dusted surface to about 1/8 inch thick.
10. 10
    Trim the fondant into a 7-inch square; cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
11. 11
    Trim the top of 1 round cake and the flat side of the bowl cake to make them level; crumble the trimmings.
12. 12
    Mix the vanilla frosting, 4 tablespoons chocolate frosting and the yellow and red food coloring in a bowl to make a light brown frosting.
13. 13
    Make the bottom bun: Put the trimmed round cake on a serving plate or cake board.
14. 14
    Frost with some of the light brown frosting.
15. 15
    Arrange the gummy-candy ruffles around the edge of the cake.
16. 16
    Make the patty: Spread the remaining chocolate frosting over the top and sides of the untrimmed round cake.
17. 17
    Press the crumbled cake trimmings into the frosting.
18. 18
    Assemble the burger: Put the chocolate patty on the bottom bun, then drape the orange fondant on top.
19. 19
    Frost the bowl-shaped cake with the remaining light brown frosting; place on the patty.
20. 20
    Press the rice cereal into the frosting.
21. 21
    Photograph by Antonis Achilleos