Rex the Dinosaur Cake

Directions

1. 1Heat oven to 350°F (325° F for dark or nonstick pans). Spray bottoms and sides of 2 (8- or 9-inch) round cake pans with baking spray with flour. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to cooking racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
2. 2For body, cut 1-inch slice from edge of one cake. From cut edge, cut out small inverted U-shape piece. Place body on tray. From remaining cake, cut head and tail (see diagram). Arrange head and tail pieces next to body.
3. 3Spoon frosting into large bowl. Stir in enough food color until desired green color. To "crumb-coat" cake (see photo inset), spread thin layer of frosting over cake pieces to seal in crumbs. Freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes.
4. 4Frost cake pieces with remaining frosting. Use milk chocolate candies for spikes along back of dinosaur. Decorate body with assorted candies. Use 2 candy-coated chocolate candies for eyes and white decorator icing to make center of eyes and teeth.