Name: Football Sheet Cake
Prep time: 1 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1/2 c. (1 stick) salted butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan; 4 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (about 2/3 cup); 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 c. granulated sugar; 2 c. all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 3/4 c. sour cream, at room temperature; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 tsp. vanilla extract; 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature; 1/2 c. (1 stick) salted butter, at room temperature; 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract; 4 c. powdered sugar (1 pound); Green and yellow food coloring (gel or liquid); 3/4 c. mini candy-coated chocolates (such as mini M&Ms); 22 sour gummy candies in 2 colors (such as Sour Patch Kids or gummy bears); 4 yellow paper straws

Step 1For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13-by-18-inch sheet pan with butter.

Step 2In a large bowl, combine the chocolate chips and cocoa powder. In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, butter, and 1 cup water; bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted. Pour the hot mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is combined.

Step 3In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Step 4Whisk the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Slowly add the flour mixture, whisking until just combined.

Step 5Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 18 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 45 minutes.

Step 6For the decoration: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the butter and vanilla and beat until well combined and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing until combined. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.

Step 7Transfer 1/4 cup of the frosting to a piping bag or zip-top plastic bag and cut off the tip to make a small opening (about ¼ inch). Add enough green and yellow food coloring to the remaining frosting to achieve a bright green, grassy color.

Step 8Use an offset spatula to frost the cake with the green frosting. Use a ruler to trace a rectangle about 2 inches in from the outside edge of the cake; the rectangle should be about 15 by 10 inches. Trace 7 evenly-spaced field lines across the length of the field. Using the rectangle as a guide, pipe the white frosting to outline the football field and draw the field lines. Pipe the 50- 30- and 10-yard line numbers if you like.

Step 9Fill the outside border of the field with candy-coated chocolates. These are the football fans! Arrange the gummy candy players on the field as desired, pressing their feet into the frosting to stand them up.

Step 10Use 4 paper straws to make the goal posts. Trim the end of one straw so it measures 6 ½ inches. Place the straw on a cutting board and measure 2 inches in from each end of the straw; bend the ends upward at the 2-inch marks so they are perpendicular to the length of the straw. These are the arms of the goal post. Use a paring knife to poke a hole in the underside of the arms in the center of the straw; puncture only one side of the straw. Trim a second straw to 4 ½ inches and insert one end into the hole in the goal post arms. Repeat the process with 2 more straws to make a second goal post. Insert a goal post at each end of the frosting field.

Football Sheet Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:

For the decoration:

Directions

Cakes and Cupcakes