Orange Layer Candy Cake

When I asked my husband what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, I already had this cake in mind because he absolutely loves Kit Kat Bars and Peanut M&Ms.  I wouldn't tell him what it was, but I told him that I had a plan.  So what kind of cake?  He picked carrot cake.  What?  So I told him no. Then I "suggested" that he choose a plain yellow cake (since chocolate is not his most favorite).  He said sure.  Because when I give him options?  Well, they're not really options.  Lucky all around that he has figured that out.  I finally settled on an orange cake with orange frosting, which I thought would compliment the chocolate candy very nicely (good thing he loves orange too, huh?  See?  I'm a good wife).  A quick note:  Please please please please please! Grease and flour the pans very well, or you will end up making another 1/2 batch of cake to replace the layer that remained stuck to the bottom of the pan.  

Orange Layer Candy Cake

Cake:
10 Tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 Tablespoons) butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cup sugar
Zest of one orange
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups orange juice

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
1 to 2 Tablespoons milk, if necessary
12 full size Kit Kat Bars
1/2 bag of M&Ms
1/2 bag of Peanut M&Ms

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease (well) and flour (well) 2 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, cream together the  butter, sugar, and orange zest.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.  Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to the creamed mixture.  Beat the flour mixture in slowly, while gradually adding the orange juice.  Beat just until incorporated.  

Pour the cake batter evenly into the two prepared pans, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.  Gently turn cakes out right side up onto a cooling rack (the tops are a little sticky and might stick to the rack and tear).  Cool completely.

For the frosting, cream together the butter and shortening.  Add the orange and vanilla extract.  Beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until completely incorporated.  If the frosting is too stiff, add a little milk.  Beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy.

To assemble the cake, place a cake layer on a plate and spread some frosting on top.  Place the other layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the cake.  This frosting does not have to look perfect at all.  After the candy goes on, you won't see any frosting at all. To finish the cake, place the Kit Kat Bars vertically around the cake.  Place (or dump) the M&Ms on top of the cake, covering the frosting.  Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy