Method

1.Prepare the cake batter according to the packet instructions and pour into a 17cm round tin. Bake, let it cool and trim to make level.
2.Trim cake to the shape of an Elmo head (as shown in step 2 above) by cutting the edges off the top half of the cake to form a pointed triangular shape.
3.Use a small, serrated knife to hollow out a smiling mouth shape (see step 3) on the bottom half of the cake.
4.
To make the frosting, beat the butter until pale and smooth. Beat in the vanilla, then slowly add in the icing sugar on a low setting. Add in the heavy cream to make it easier to mix. Add more cream if necessary. Colour 1/3 cup of frosting dark grey and the remaining frosting red.
Tip: You only need to add a tiny amount of food colouring gel when colouring frosting
5.Use the dark grey frosting to colour the mouth cavity and then spread the rest of the exposed cake with the red frosting. Use a butter or palette knife to rough up the frosting to create Elmo’s fur-like texture.
6.Use scissors to snip the small, pointed tip off each marshmallow – this will create a sticky point for the dark brown smarties to sit. Place the marshmallows into the eye positions. Unroll the liquorice rope and cut thin strips to define the sides of the mouth (see step 6). Finally, gently trim the edges of the Monte Carlo biscuit to a round nose shape and place on the cake.
7.Enjoy your Elmo cake!

Elmo Cake