Sparkling Christmas Tree Cakes

These are so much fun to make at Christmas. Simple and very creative way to take 2 round cakes and cut them into eight wedges to resemble Christmas trees. Insert peppermint stick into bottom of each cake for the tree trunk.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 16 tree cakes

Ingredients

• 1 (18 1/2ounce) package  yellow cake mix (2-layer size)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  green food coloring
• 1 (8 ounce) package Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups  thawed Cool Whip Topping
• 16  peppermint stick candy (3-inch)
• 1⁄2 cup  baker's angel flake coconut
• 2  baker's  semi-sweet chocolate baking squares, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup  planters  dry roasted peanuts, chopped
•  assorted christmas  decorative candies
•  colored crystal sugar

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F Lightly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.
2. Prepare cake batter as directed on package. Tint batter green with food coloring. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
3. BAKE as directed on package. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire rack. Cool completely.
4. BEAT cream cheese and powdered sugar in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add whipped topping; stir until well blended. Spread evenly onto tops and sides of cakes.
5. CUT each cake into eight wedges to resemble Christmas trees. Insert peppermint stick into bottom of each cake for the tree trunk. Decorate trees with remaining ingredients. Store in refrigerator.