Red Velvet Explosion Cake

Directions

1. 1
   Heat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Line 13x9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil; grease and flour pan.
3. 3
   Set aside.
4. 4
   Combine all cake ingredients in bowl; beat at medium speed until well mixed.
5. 5
   Spread batter into prepared pan.
6. 6
   Bake 28-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. 7
   Cool completely.
8. 8
   Cover with aluminum foil; freeze 1 hour.
9. 9
   Place half & half and flour in 1-quart saucepan.
10. 10
    Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 4-6 minutes or until mixture is very thick.
11. 11
    Remove from heat; cool completely.
12. 12
    Combine 1 cup butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl.
13. 13
    Beat at high speed 5-7 minutes or until very smooth and sugar is dissolved.
14. 14
    Add cooled flour mixture, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition, until smooth and creamy.
15. 15
    Remove cake from freezer; invert onto 5x10-inch platter.
16. 16
    Peel foil off cake.
17. 17
    Frost top and sides of cake.
18. 18
    For each fireworks burst, pipe dot of blue or red gel onto cake.
19. 19
    Pipe 4 concentric circles (about 1/2 inch apart) of red and blue around dot.
20. 20
    Starting at center, pull toothpick through all gel circles past outer circle to create firework design.
21. 21
    Wipe excess gel and frosting from toothpick as needed.
22. 22
    *Substitute Devils food cake mix and 1 (1-ounce) bottle red food color.
23. 23
    **Substitute 4 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 1/4 cups; let stand 5 minutes.