Spaghetti Party Cake with Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs Cake (Dessert)

Yield: 1 round 9-inch cake

Ingredients

• 1 cake mix or homemade cake (9-inch round)
• White frosting
• Fudge balls (see recipe below)
• 1/2 to 1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed OR strawberry jam

Instructions

1. Bake and cool the cake: Bake a 9-inch round cake, single or double layer. Allow it to cool completely.
2. Frost the cake: Place the cake on a serving platter and frost evenly on top and sides with white frosting.
3. Make frosting noodles: Push frosting through a potato ricer or use a decorating bag with a round tip to create long "spaghetti" strands. Drape over cake.
4. Add the sauce: Puree strawberries or use jam and spoon over frosting noodles to resemble spaghetti sauce.
5. Top with fudge meatballs: Add chilled fudge balls on top as "meatballs." Serve and surprise your guests.

Fudge Balls (Meatballs)

These chocolate fudge balls become the pretend meatballs on top of the spaghetti party cake.

Ingredients

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Melt chocolate and milk: Melt chocolate chips with condensed milk in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Stir in vanilla: Stir until smooth and add vanilla extract.
3. Cool slightly: Allow mixture to cool slightly.
4. Roll into balls: Butter hands lightly and roll small portions into balls.
5. Chill until firm: Place on a cookie sheet and chill until firm.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Let kids help squeeze frosting noodles for extra fun.
• The messier the noodles look, the more realistic it appears.
• Chill fudge balls before placing them on top so they hold their shape.

Notes

One cake mix makes two 9-inch cakes. Freeze one for another occasion. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.