LUMBERJACK CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Prepare batter for 1 cake mix as directed on package; pour into 2 greased and floured 8-inch round pans. Bake 28 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cakes 10 min. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, wash and dry cooled cake pans before greasing and flouring them for reuse. Prepare batter for second cake mix; blend in 1/2 tsp. food coloring. Pour into prepared pans. Bake and cool as directed for first 2 layers.
• Microwave unsweetened chocolate in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until completely melted, stirring every 30 sec. Cool 5 min. Add sugar, butter and vanilla. Gradually add milk, beating after addition until frosting is light and fluffy.
• Spoon 2 cups frosting into separate bowl; stir in remaining food coloring.
• Stack black cake layers alternately with red cake layers on serving plate, spreading about 2/3 cup black frosting between each layer.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of the chocolate frosting into resealable plastic bag; reserve for later use. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining chocolate frosting.
• Use toothpick to circular lines in frosting in top of cake to resemble top of tree stump. Draw additional lines in frosting in sides of cake to resemble tree bark. Cut small piece off one bottom corner of frosting-filled bag; use to pipe knobs of frosting around base of cake to resemble tree roots as shown in photo.