Chocolate Stars Fudge Cake

For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F and line bottom of two 9” cake pans with a circle of parchment or wax paper. Spray pans well with cooking spray and set aside.

Prepare cake mix according to instructions on the box.

Melt 2 cups (10 oz) of the Milk Chocolate Stars (reserve remainder for garnish) in microwave for 1 minute at 50% power, stir well. Microwave additional 30 seconds at 50% power, stirring until smooth.

Stir melted chocolate into cake batter and divide between two prepared pans.

Bake 29-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 5 minutes in pan. Invert onto cooling rack and cool completely.

To assemble: Slice each cake horizontally into two layers with serrated knife.

Place four strips of parchment or wax paper along edges of serving platter and place one of bottom cake layers on top of paper strips, cut side up.

Place one tub of icing into large resealable bag and cut off 1/8” from one corner. Pipe a border of frosting ¼” from outer edge of cake to form a dam. Do this on the bottom and middle cake layers.

For filling: Heat fudge topping in microwave 20-30 seconds on high. Stir until smooth.

Spread ½ of one jar inside frosting dam of the bottom layer, smoothing to even.

Repeat in same manner with next two middle cake layers.

Place top layer on cake and frost sides and top of cake smooth.

Press reserved Milk Chocolate Stars along the top of cake to form a ring around top edge.

Pour and smooth remaining ½ jar of fudge topping in center of cake up to Star’s edge.

Hint: Press optional almonds into the sides of the cake for a pretty finish.