How to Make a Black Light Erupting Volcano Cake

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: See the list of "Things You'll Need" below as well as the "Ingredients" and "Tips"

   Set aside. , Set aside.,, Set aside.
   
   To determine if the incision depth is correct, insert the playing card into the incision.
   
   If the card completely covers the inner area of the tube, the incision is deep enough.,, A fluorescent-tube or compact-fluorescent black light bulb runs cool and puts out much more black light than an incandescent black light bulb., The quinine in the tonic water will glow under the black light.The quinine is bitter, so a sour Jell-O flavor would go well with it.
   
   Try lemon or lime.
   
   You might want to add extra sugar.
   
   Start with a tablespoon and mix in well, but feel free to add another, and another, to taste. ,, (Preheat to 325ºF/162.7ºC if you are using a dark or nonstick pan).,,,,,,, Set the cake center aside. ,,,, Pour only half of the cake batter into the 10" (25.4cm) pan and modify the bake time accordingly. , These will be used as the top two layers of the cake. ,,,,,,,, Pour some on the rocks and around the edges of the cake layers. ,,,,,,,,, The volcano will erupt within 5 seconds.
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   Step 2: to be sure that you have everything to get started.

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   Step 3: Cut a 15" x 15" (38.1cm x 38.1cm) square out of the foam or poster board.

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   Step 4: Cover the foam or poster board square with aluminum foil.

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   Step 5: Trace the circumference of the 2-liter (67.6 fl oz) bottle on a piece of the remaining foam or poster board and cut out a stencil.

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   Step 6: Using a sharp knife

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   Step 7: cut a 1 1/2 inch (3.81cm) length tube from the cardboard tube.

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   Step 8: Make a deep incision 1/2 inch (1.27cm) from the bottom of the tube from Step 4.

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   Step 9: Using the drop cloth

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    Step 10: cover the surface ("staging area") that the cake will be presented on.

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    Step 11: Hang one black light above the staging area and lay one black light on either side of where the cake will sit.

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    Step 12: Using tonic water (from the 1-liter bottle) instead of tap water

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    Step 13: follow directions on the Jell-O box to make 6 oz (170g) of Jell-O (or other brand of gelatin dessert) in a plastic container.

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    Step 14: Cover the Jell-O container and place on a level refrigerator shelf for at least 4 hours.

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    Step 15: Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC if you are using a shiny metal or glass pan.

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    Step 16: Use one teaspoon of canola oil to grease the bottom and sides of the 12" (30.48cm) cake pan.

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    Step 17: Follow the instructions on the back of the cake box to prepare the cake batter.

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    Step 18: Slowly pour cake batter into the center of the cake pan while scraping the inside of the mixing bowl with the rubber spatula.

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    Step 19: Bake on middle oven rack for the amount of time listed on the cake box

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    Step 20: or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

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    Step 21: Let cake cool for 10 minutes or refrigerate for 5 minutes before cutting.

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    Step 22: Flip cake pan upside down and lightly shake cake onto the foil-covered square.

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    Step 23: Use the stencil and a sharp knife to cut the center out of the cake.

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    Step 24: Flip the cake right side up onto the center of the pan or plate on which the cake will be presented

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    Step 25: stacking each layer upon the last.

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    Step 26: Using a paper towel

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    Step 27: wipe the extra cake out of the inside of the cake pan.

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    Step 28: Repeat Steps 2 -10 two more times so there are three 12" (30.48cm) layers of cake

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    Step 29: inserting the full 2-Liter of tonic after each layer is stacked to ensure they are properly aligned.

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    Step 30: Repeat Steps 2 -10 four more times using the 10" cake pan.

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    Step 31: Cut a small hole (approximately 1 1/2 inches/3.81cm in diameter) in the center of two of the unused cake centers.

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    Step 32: Microwave the chocolate frosting (top off) for 10-30 seconds depending on microwave strength.

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    Step 33: Use a knife to gently spread the chocolate frosting over the outside of the cake

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    Step 34: filling in the crevices between each layer.

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    Step 35: Carefully move the cake to the staging area.

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    Step 36: Tear two of the remaining cake centers in half and place two halves on either side of the cake where the glow stick trees will stand.

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    Step 37: Crack and shake the glow sticks

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    Step 38: then gently press the glow sticks' flat ends into the center of the cake "rocks".

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    Step 39: Open four umbrellas and push the toothpick ends through the plastic loops on top of the glow sticks with the open umbrellas facing forward.

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    Step 40: Take the Jell-O out of the refrigerator and use a spoon to stir and smash the Jell-O into clumps.

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    Step 41: Spoon the Jell-O onto the staging area surrounding the cake.

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    Step 42: Add any extra umbrellas or Jell-O to the cake as desired.

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    Step 43: Remove the top two layers of the cake and slowly unscrew the cap of the tonic water

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    Step 44: so that it will not fizz out of the bottle.

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    Step 45: Microwave the buttercream or vanilla frosting for no more than 10 seconds.

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    Step 46: Using the rubber spatula

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    Step 47: cover the top two cake layers (from "Making the Cake" Step 13) with frosting to look like the top of a mountain.

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    Step 48: Stack the last two cake layers on top of the cake

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    Step 49: hiding the top of the 2-Liter bottle.

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    Step 50: Place the cardboard tube (from "Preparation" Step 4) over the open top of bottle.

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    Step 51: Insert the playing card through the back of the cake and into the incision of the cardboard tube.

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    Step 52: Gently drop three Mentos candies into the tube and onto the playing card.

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    Step 53: As soon as everyone is ready

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    Step 54: pull the playing card out and get out of the way!

Detailed Guide

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