articlesforchristians

PREP: 10 min. plus baking and cooling
MAKES: 18 servings

What you need

• 1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (frozen), divided
• 1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix or your favorite cake recipe
• 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) Instant Chocolate Pudding
• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar, divided
• 1/2 tsp. milk
• 11 NILLA Wafers
• 4 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
• 1 pkg. (8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 jar (10 oz.) cherries, well drained, chopped
• 1 strip peelable red licorice
• 2 Marshmallows
• 2 pretzel rods

Make it!

1. REFRIGERATE 1/3 of the COOL WHIP. Return remaining COOL WHIP to freezer.
2. Prepare cake batter, blend in dry pudding mix. Bake as directed on package for 2 (9-inch) round layers.
3. Cool cakes in pans 10 min.; invert onto wire racks. Cool completely.
4. MEANWHILE, mix 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar and milk. Brush onto wafers.
5. Microwave frozen COOL WHIP and chopped chocolate on HIGH 1-1/2 min, or until chocolate is melted, stirring after 1 min. Cool 15 min to thicken.
6. BEAT cream cheese and remaining sugar with whisk until well blended. Stir in cherries and thawed COOL WHIP.
7. Stack cake layers on plate, filling with cream cheese mixture. Frost with chocolate mixture. Decorate with wafers and remaining ingredients to resemble drum and sticks. Refrigerate leftovers.