Simple Teddy Bear Cake w/o special pan

Back in the day when our kids were young you couldn't buy shaped cake pans --- even if you wanted to!

We made them ourselves --- and so can you!

TEDDY BEAR -- whose tilt-ee head and cocky grin is just the look you gave to him

1. Cover a board or heavy cardboard, a little larger than your finished cake will be, with aluminum foil. 
2. Make cake mix or favorite recipe (for two layers)  as desired,dividing batter into one 9-inch square pan and one 8-inch round pan. 
3. Bake as directed, and after removing from pans, let cool completely. 
4. Place on covered board as shown on the left below.

• Cut strip, one-inch from edge, down each side of square cake, and cut each strip into 4 equal pieces.
• Using frosting of your choice, "glue" the pieces as shown in the illustration on the right to make the legs. 
• Frost the cake with chocolate frosting. 
• The bear in the photo is topped with white and chocolate* coconut. I have usually skipped the coconut used white and chocolate frosting instead.  
• Half of a marshmallow is "glued" to each leg to make paws.
• Use candies and licorice strings to make the claws and mouth. You can also use frosting for these.

*To make chocolate coconut:

1. Melt 3 squares semisweet chocolate over low heat. Stir in 1 T shortening. Stir in 2 cups shredded coconut. Spread on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. Let harden. 

'til we eat again,

          Simply, Gail