Whoo-hoo! It smoked. It gurgled and bubbled, then spewed bright red-orange marshmallow lava over a sinfully dark chocolate cake mountain. Our team and some friends went wild. The photo shoot for baking expert Catherine Christiansen’s April column, Who Doesn’t Lava Good Dessert? was flat-out the most fun I’ve ever had taking pictures.

Catherine sent her recipes and some photos of this awesome birthday cake early in the week. At first glace it seemed complex, but with a bit of planning it was easy and came together quickly. I decided on a dinosaur theme and headed to the cake supply and party stores for small bottles of brilliant red, orange and turquoise food coloring, plastic palm trees, edible rocks, a variety of dinosaurs and long purple and green birthday candles.

This cake is all about fun so don’t get hung up on perfection. Embrace all its lumps, bumps and crumbs—they add character and keep you sane.

I baked the cakes and prepared the black chocolate and green buttercreams and the Kahlúa soaking syrup the day before assembly. Next day, I frosted the cakes, made the sugar lava and lake and colored the marshmallow lava. Assembly was a breeze and great fun. Once the Amazing Volcano was before me in all its glory, I just couldn’t wait to blow it up!

Photographer Windsor Andersen arrived and we readied everything for the shoot. This was going to be a one-time shot with no re-takes so we had to get it right. Everyone gathered behind Windsor and held their breath as I fueled the cake with cubes of dry ice, hot water, and warm lava. Then it started—a little smoke—a few bubbles—lots of hoots and hollers. “That is so cool! I want that cake for my birthday.” “WOW!” Then a tiny voice started singing Happy Birthday with infectious joy. Soon the group joined in a rousing chorus, everyone adding their own names just for fun.

As the lava slowed, we all dug in to the cake and couldn’t believe how good it was. Everyone had a second piece, but I had my mind on the leftover frosting. No matter how delicious—and how spectacular—the cake, it’s hard to beat the thrill of pure buttercream, sneaked on the sly. Give me a spoon.

Get a printable copy of The Amazing Erupting Volcano Cake.

Read Catherine Christiansen’s April column, Who Doesn’t Lava Good Dessert?

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