Gators Gameday Grub – Week 9: Gator-o’-Lantern

In her weekly Gators Gameday Grub segment here on OGGOA, our friend Janah Adickman over at Delish Your Dish has sent us another UF-themed recipe that is easy to make, fun to create and absolutely delicious. Whether you are hosting a party, going to someone else’s or tailgating on-site, this grub is for Gators ONLY!

This week: “Gator-o’-Lantern” – Coconut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

On Halloween, the Georgia Bulldogs shouldn’t be fearing anything but the Florida Gators, because UF is looking to stuff its trick-or-treat bag with a win over UGA. Celebrate the holiday and a spooktacular game day with this creation.

Feast your eyes, savor the moist cake and learn how to make this dish after the jump!!!

Gator-o’-Lantern

What You Need:
2 pkg. coconut cake mix (or any flavor) – orange & blue food coloring – 2 16 oz. jars of cream cheese frosting (or any flavor) – 3/4 cup toasted sweetened shredded coconut – black icing (optional)

Directions:
1. In two separate bowls, follow the directions for the cake mixes. Make one bowl of batter orange and the other blue using the food coloring.
2. Grease two bundt pans and pour the batter into each pan. Bake according to cake mix directions.
3. Meanwhile, place the cream cheese frosting into a bowl and use the orange food coloring to create the perfect pumpkin color (this may take a few tries to get the color right).
4. Once the cakes have baked, turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Then using a large serrated knife, even out the bottom of the cakes so that they will sit perfectly on top of one another.
5. Place one cake with the flat side up on your serving plate. Then in a small bowl, combine some of the cream cheese frosting with the toasted coconut (about 1 cup). Spread this mixture on the flat part of the cake (this will be the middle frosting layer). Next, place the other cake on top and press down gently.
6. Finally, use the remainder of the frosting to coat the rest of the cake. If you want to add a message or drawing on the cake, use the easy-squeeze icing bags or tubes that you can find in the baking aisle at the market.