Chocolate Golf Course Cake

For the Chocolate Cake

• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup (57 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 2/3 cups (395 ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (96 g) shortening
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Grass and Greens Frosting

• 1/2 cup (1 stick; 113 g) butter or margarine, softened
• 1 pound (about 4 cups; 454 g) confectioners’ sugar, divided
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Green food coloring

For Decorating

• Graham cracker crumbs or light brown sugar, for the sand trap
• Small paper flags and toothpicks
• A small ball of white frosting or a miniature marshmallow, for the golf ball

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 13 × 9 × 2-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium speed for 3 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, turn out onto a wire rack, and cool completely. Place the cake on a serving tray.
4. Make the frosting: beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add about half of the confectioners’ sugar, beating well. Slowly beat in 3 tablespoons milk and the vanilla. Gradually add the remaining sugar and beat until smooth, adding more milk as needed for a spreadable consistency.
5. Transfer about half of the frosting to a small bowl. Tint this portion medium green and frost the entire cake. Texture the surface with a pastry brush or piping tip to resemble grass.
6. Tint the remaining frosting a deeper green. Outline three putting-green shapes on top of the cake and fill them with the darker frosting.
7. Add a small area of graham cracker crumbs or light brown sugar for a sand trap. Attach numbered paper flags to toothpicks and place them on the greens. Finish with a small ball of white frosting or marshmallow as the golf ball.