Pool Party Birthday Cake

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Cover bottom and sides of cake pan with plastic wrap; set aside. Make jelly powder according to manufacturer's instructions but use only 3/4 cup (175 mL) cold water; pour into prepared pan. Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1 hour or until completely set.

Meanwhile, cut cake into kidney shape; place on cake board. With spoon, hollow out 1/2 inch (1 cm) from top of cake, leaving 3/4-inch (2 cm) thick walls as border.

With palette knife, spread icing over sides and border of cake. Trim wafers to 2-inch (5 cm) lengths or to match height of cake. Alternating colours, press wafers onto side of cake for fence, leaving 2-inch (5 cm) space uncovered for ladder.

With spatula, pick up long slabs of blue jelly; arrange in hollowed-out centre of cake, rippling to resemble waves.

Cut red piece of licorice in half; arrange both halves on space on side of cake for ladder railings, pressing ends into cake to secure. Cut green licorice into small pieces for ladder steps; secure in place with icing.

At opposite end from ladder, press wafer in place for diving board, arrange pink chocolate rounds and multicoloured sprinkles for landscape. Arrange chocolate finger cookies for wooden planking.

Just before serving, place toy people in doughnut shaped candy for swimmers in rafts. Add gumballs for beach balls.

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