Football Cake

Make the Cake

1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-inch-round cake pan with nonstick baking spray. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. 

3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cold water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring until combined.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

6. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

7. To assemble the cake, use a serrated knife and cut a 2-inch-wide strip down the center of the cake. Remove the strip and set aside. 

8. Place both sides of the cake on serving platter and push the 2 sides together to form a football shape.

Make the Frosting and Decorate the Cake

1. Beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain. 

2. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until combined.

3. Reserve 1 cup of white frosting and set aside. To the remaining frosting, add the cocoa powder and beat until combined. 

4. Frost the outside of the cake with the chocolate frosting.

5. Place the white frosting in a piping bag fitted with a flat tip and pipe lines and laces on the cake.

6. Place the shredded coconut to a resealable plastic bag with a few drops of green food coloring. Shake and knead the bag until the coconut looks like grass (add more coloring as needed).

7. Sprinkle the green coconut “grass” on the serving platter around the football cake. 

8. Chill until ready to serve.

9. The remaining cake and frosting can be cut into squares and served on the side.