Caterpillar Cake

1 package (18.25 ounces) yellow cake mix

1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting

2-1/2 cups flaked coconut, divided

2 small purple gumdrops

1 small red gumdrop

2 small orange gumdrops

2 pretzel sticks

Yellow, red, and green liquid or gel food coloring

Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Fill a greased 8 ounce custard cup three-fourths full. Pour remaining batter into a greased 10 inch fluted tube pan. Bake the custard cup at 350 for 20-25 minutes and the tube cake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing cakes to wire racks; cool completely.

Cut large cake in half widthwise. To form caterpillar, place one half on a 15 in. x 10 in. covered board (or a big platter). Place the remaining portion next to the first to form an "S". With a serrated knife, level bottom of small cake; place on one end of caterpillar for head.

Frost the small cake with vanilla frosting; gently press 1/4 c. coconut into frosting. Add purple gumdrops for eyes. For mouth, flatten red gumdrop with a rolling pin between waxed paper; place below eyes. For antennae, press orange gumdrops onto pretzels; insert into head.

Place 3/4 cup coconut each in three small resealable plastic bags. Tint one orange with yellow and red food coloring; tint one green and one yellow. [Hint: Some kids love squishing the bags to color the coconut!] Frost the caterpillar with remaining vanilla frosting. Press alternate colors of coconut into frosting

As you can see from the picture, I didn't use the gumdrops (I bought Dots to use, but my husband couldn't resist their allure and ate them all before I could make the cake). I used chocolate chips for the eyes and Pez candies for the mouth. If you don't like coconut, just tint the frosting and omit the coconut.