Instructions

1. Prepare large cake. Mix together two boxes of chocolate cake mix, following directions for both boxes. Add eggs, oil, and water according to box directions. Fill a 16-inch round cake pan a little more than half full. You can use the remaining amount to make extra cupcakes. Follow baking directions for an 8 1/2 x 13-inch baking pan. Test to see if cake is done by inserting toothpick. If toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done baking. Set aside to cool.

2. Bake the top part of the sombrero cake. Prepare two more boxes of chocolate or devil's food cake mix and follow the directions, adding eggs, oil and water as directed. Fill an oven-safe batter bowl or other bowl to bake the cake in (you can use a doll cake pan also). Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit according to doll cake pan directions or until knife inserted in the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool.

3. Prepare a batch of frosting. For one batch of frosting, beat 1 cup of shortening and 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla on medium speed for 40 seconds. Gently add 2 1/3 cups powdered sugar to the frosting, beating it well. Add 2 tbsp. milk. Slowly add 2 1/3 cups more of powdered sugar and continue to add milk until the frosting is the proper consistency. Add food color as desired (yellow works well).

4. Trim the doll dress cake. Trim off the rounded portion of the doll dress cake (or the cake baked in the batter bowl), so it has a flat surface to rest on when placed on the 16-inch round cake. Place the dress cake in the center of the round cake. Frost both cakes with one batch of yellow frosting.

5. Decorate the cake. Using a cake decorating bag and another batch of colored frosting (you can use red colors, green colors, blue colors), fill a decorating bag with frosting and tip of your choice and decorate the cake. You can use zig-zag patterns, star shapes, or squiggly lines. Decorate with creativity. Place jelly beans around the outside of the hat to create a fringe look.