Autumn Kit Kat Layer Cake (W/ Reeses Pieces)

PSU Lioness's Note:

I found this super simple, but fantastic looking, recipe when I was looking for an idea for a cake to make for a cake walk at the carnival at my daughter's school. Everyone oohed and ahhed over it and a picture of it was on the cover of the school newsletter that month. It is insanely easy but I promise that you will have everyone asking for your recipe! You can also change the theme of the cake by substituting seasonal M&M's on top.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

CAKE

• 1 (18 1/4 ounce) box duncan hines devil's food cake mix
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 (1 1/2 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix (the small box)

ICING

• 1 (16 ounce) container white frosting
• 3/4 cup peanut butter

FINISHING TOUCHES

• 12 (1 1/2 ounce) Kit Kat bars (not snack size)
• 1 (1 lb) bag Reese's pieces
• autumn themed ribbon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. To make the cake:.
3. In a large bowl, combine the Duncan Hine's cake mix, milk, eggs, canola oil and chocolate pudding mix . Mix until everything is moist and then mix on Medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Divide cake mix evenly between two 9" greased round cake pans.
5. Bake for 28-31 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes then remove cakes and cool completely on wire rack.
6. To make the icing:
7. Spoon vanilla icing into a bowl and add peanut butter. Mix with hand mixer until combined. Add more peanut butter, to taste.
8. To assemble the cake:.
9. Place one cake on whatever plate you are using to serve it and icing like normal, adding some extra on the top.
10. Place the second cake on top of the first cake. Icing the second cake to create a layer cake. It does not have to look pretty -- you won't see it anyway.
11. Break Kit Kats in half so that 2 bars are still stuck together. You will use between 10 and 12 (4 packs) of Kit Kats depending on the size of your cake.
12. Spread some icing on the back of each Kit Kat section and begin placing them around the cake (vertically and right next to each other). It will begin to resemble a fence going around the cake.
13. When you've gone the whole way around, tie the Autumn themed ribbon around the cake to keep the Kit Kats in place.
14. Fill the top of the cake with Reese's Pieces (you will probably use a whole bag).
15. Cover and refrigerate or serve immediately.
16. You can also use different cake and icing combinations or top it with seasonal or regular M&M's to fit any occasion. Coordinate ribbon to match!