Halloween High Stepper Cake

Step 1

In advance: Make legs and shoes. For shorter legs, cut pretzel rods to 2 1/2 in. and 6 1/2 in. long (4 each). For longer legs, cut pretzel rods to 4 1/2 in. and 6 1/2 in. long (4 each). Tint fondant black. Roll 8 each 3/4 in. balls for leg joints; reserve remaining black fondant. Assemble shorter legs, inserting 1 of each size pretzel in leg joints at a 45° angle; secure with melted candy. Repeat for longer legs, assembling at slightly less than a 90° angle. Let dry.

Step 2

Bake and cool cake. Pipe tip 1A ball eyes (flatten and smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch). Pipe tip 12 dot nose and pupils (smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch). Pipe tip 3 outline mouth; cover cake with tip 16 pull-out stars. Overpipe mouth and pull out teeth with tip 6. Make shoes using remaining black fondant. Roll 3/4 in. diameter logs; cut into 1 1/2 in. pieces (8 needed). Shape into oval shoes. Insert long end of legs into shoes; secure with melted candy. Position and insert legs into cake.

*Combine Leaf Green with Lemon Yellow for green shown.