Ingredients:

2 batches chocolate devil’s food cake

3 sticks unsalted butter, soften

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

3/4 cup Nutella

2 tablespoons heavy cream

2 Oreo cookies

2 brown or black M&Ms

1 piece of orange rind

1 tablespoon small chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour two 8 1/2-inch (3 quarts) stainless steel mixing bowls and one 5 1/2-inch (1 1/2 quarts) stainless steel mixing bowl.

Put 3 cups of cake batter in each of the large mixing bowl, and 2 1/2 cups in the small mixing bowl.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Let cool in the bowls for 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack.  Cool completely before frosting.

To prepare the buttercream, beat butter on high until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until incorporated. Reverse a cup to frost owl’s belly.

Add cocoa powder and beat until combined. Then add Nutella and cream, and beat until you get to the right consistency.

To assemble the cake, level the cakes if they come out with round tops. Place one large cake (round bottom down) on your serving plate, then flip another large cake on top, flat side down, to create a symmetrical owl body. Place the small cake (flat side down) on top of the owl body. Insert a wooden chopstick through the center to keep the layers secured.

Spread the reserve white frosting on the front of the owl body for its belly.

Smear the Nutella frosting on the rest of the owl body and head. Gently press the tip of a small spatula in the Nutella frosting and pull it out to create the feathered effect.

Separate the Oreos, then secure a M&M on each halve with the white filling with a dab of white icing. Place 2 Oreo eyes onto the head. Then insert an orange rind between the eyes to make the owl beak.

Cut one of the remaining Oreo cookies in half. Insert them, curved side out, at the top of the head. Cover with Nutella frosting to match the body.

Dot chocolate chips to the belly area for a speckled look.

Ingredients:

3 Tb. butter
4 cups (10 oz.) mini marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1 flavored drink packet (choose your favorite fruit flavor)
2 Tb. colored sprinkles
Fresh cut fruit and berries of choice
Wooden Skewers

Directions:

:
Spray a 9 X 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a saucepan, melt the butter and marshmallows over medium heat. Once melted add the drink powder and stir until dissolved.

Remove from heat and add the Rice Krispies. Stir until coated.

Spoon the Rice Krispies mixture into the prepared pan. Press firmly with wax paper.

Once cooled, use small cookie cutters to cut the Rice Krispies Treats into fun shapes.

Pour the sprinkles on a small plate and press the top of each cutout into the sprinkles.

Slide the treats onto skewers with fresh cut fruit and berries.