Boo Food

A sure sign that Halloween is upon us. Bob’s Donuts in the Farmer’s Market is making their seasonal black cat and pumpkin motif donuts. I bought one of each just to take these photos, and then I had to eat them. I hate it when that happens.


There are lots of recipes for Halloween foods out there, most of them simply variations of stuff you would eat any other time of the year – the aforementioned donuts, cupcakes, candied apples, candy, candy and more candy. But only one really speaks to my imagination as an original. (I don't even want to speculate about the mind that came up with this one.) Kitty Litter Cake has been floating around the internet for awhile, and although I haven’t made it yet I plan to when an appropriate occasion presents itself. Maybe to take into the office on the last day on a job that I hate or for the birthday of somebody I’d really rather not be remembering. Or maybe next Halloween


I do know some people who have made the cake, (and beg to remain nameless) and they insist it’s pretty darn tasty. (Cake, pudding, cookies, candy – what could be bad?) But really, who cares what it tastes like? This is one of those desserts you just make for the look. Anticipate oohs and aahs, and keep it well out of the way of the cats.


KITTY LITTER CAKE

1 box spice or German chocolate cake mix
1 box of white cake mix
1 package white, vanilla sandwich cookies
1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix
A few drops green food coloring
15 small Tootsie Rolls

SERVING "DISHES AND UTENSILS"
1 NEW cat-litter box (small size)
1 NEW cat-litter box liner
1 NEW pooper scooper

Prepare and bake cake mixes, according to package directions. Prepare pudding and chill. Crumble cookies in small batches in blender or food processor. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1 cup of the cookie crumbs. Mix with a fork or shake in a jar. Set aside.

When cakes are at room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl. Toss with half of the remaining cookie crumbs and enough pudding to make the mixture moist but not soggy. Place liner in litter box and pour in mixture.

Unwrap 10 of the Tootsie Rolls and heat in a microwave until soft and pliable. Shape the blunt ends into slightly curved points. Bury the rolls in the cake mixture. Sprinkle remaining white cookie crumbs over the mixture, then scatter the cup of green tinted crumbs lightly over top.

Heat remaining 5 Tootsie Rolls until soft and pliable, shape and scatter them on top of the cake, hanging a couple decoratively over the edge of the box. Sprinkle with crumbs from the litter box. Place box on a sheet of newspaper and serve with scooper. Enjoy!