Science Project: Directions for Making Edible Volcanoes
Make a volcano that is entirely edible, instead of the traditional papier-mache model, for your next science project. An edible volcano can be constructed from cake mix, then molded into the shape of a volcano. To make the volcano eligible for a science project, you can demonstrate the reaction of dry ice with warm water. When the water combines with the-room temperature dry ice that is emitting carbon dioxide, it creates water vapor, which results in a cloud that looks like smoke. The egg-white mixture will look foamy and spill out with the vapor to create an erupting volcano.
Instructions
1. Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the Bundt pan and measuring cup with non-stick spray.
2. Prepare the devil's food cake batter according to the directions on the box. Reserve 2 cups of the batter in the measuring cup, and then pour the rest into the Bundt pan.
3. Place the Bundt cake and measuring cup in the oven. Bake the cake for 30 minutes and the measuring cup for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Allow the cakes to cool for 15 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a wire rack so that they cool completely.
5. Add vanilla frosting to a measuring cup until it is one-quarter full. Mix in dark red food coloring. Add red or orange food coloring to the remainder of the frosting.
6. Place the Bundt cake on a cake platter. Fill the middle of the Bundt cake with a piece of foil that you will crush into a ball to support the volcano.
7. Place the small cake from the measuring glass over the bundt cake with the round side facing up toward you. Cut the sides of the Bundt cake carefully with a serrated knife so that it resembles a mountain. Use the pieces that you cut off to fill the base of the small cake.
8. Cut a 1-½ inch hole in the center of the small cake. Cut a "V" shape starting from the hole and down the cake for the lava to flow.
9. Place a small bowl inside the top of the small cake. Line the bowl with aluminum foil.
10. Microwave the red or orange frosting for 10 seconds so that it becomes thin. Spread the frosting around the volcano and down the sides to create a lava path.
11. Place the dark red frosting in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds. Spoon it around the top of the volcano.
12. Combine one egg white in a bowl with 1 ½ tsp. sugar. Add two or three drops of red or orange food coloring, and beat the egg white until it thickens into a foam.
13. Add three small chunks of dry ice to the bowl and then add the egg mixture. Pour in hot water when you are ready for the volcano to produce lava.
Tags: small cake, food coloring, around volcano, bowl with, Bundt cake