Panda Birthday Cake

1 package cake mix (any flavor)
Water, oil and eggs called for on cake mix package
Tray or cardboard, 16x10 inches, covered
1 1/2 tubs Whipped vanilla ready-to-spread frosting
1/2 cup flaked coconut
8 chocolate wafer cookies, about 2 inches in diameter
1 large marshmallow
2 chocolate-covered candies
1 small black or red gumdrop
Black shoestring licorice
1/3 cup flaked coconut
1 teaspoon baking cocoa

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottoms only of 1 round pan, 8x1 1/2 inches, and 1 round pan, 9x1 1/2 inches. Make cake mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pans.

Bake as directed on package or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Cut 9-inch round as shown in diagram. Arrange pieces on tray to form panda as shown in diagram.

Frost cake, attaching pieces with small amount of frosting. Sprinkle body with 1/2 cup flaked coconut, pressing gently to adhere. Press 2 cookies into top of head at 45-degree angle for ears. Place 2 cookies for background of eyes and 4 on body for paws, placing bottom 2 cookies at 45-degree angle on bottom edge of cake.

Cut marshmallow crosswise in half; place each half on a cookie for eyes. Place chocolate candies on marshmallow halves for pupils; fasten with small dab of frosting if necessary. Use small gumdrop for nose and shoestring licorice for mouth and outline of legs. Toss 1/3 cup coconut and the cocoa; carefully sprinkle within outlines of legs and on bottom portion of body. Makes 14 servings