Cowboy Boot Cake

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.

Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan, using water, oil and eggs. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For easier handling, refrigerate or freeze cake 30 minutes to 1 hour or until firm.

Use serrated knife to cut boot shape from cake, saving cake scraps for another use. (See link below for template.) Place cake on serving plate or foil-covered tray.

In medium bowl, mix 1 container frosting and red food color until desired shade. Spread thin layer of red frosting over cake to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Frost cake with remaining red frosting. In small bowl, mix 1/2 container frosting and brown food color. Frost sole of boot, heel and top of boot with brown frosting. With remaining frosting, pipe western design on boot (template can be found under the Tips below). Decorate with edible pearls. Unroll fruit snack; cut to look like leather strap for pulling on boot. Place strap at top center of boot. On sugared surface, roll gumdrops with rolling pin to flatten. Cut shapes for strap and spur; place on boot.