| 1 | Preheat the oven to 350°F. |
| 2 | Grease and flour a 13x9 pan. |
| 3 | Prepare, bake and cool cake following package directions. |
| 4 | For decorator frosting: combine confectioners sugar, shortening, water, non-dairy creamer, vanilla and salt in large bowl. |
| 5 | Beat at medium speed with electric mixer for 3 minutes. |
| 6 | Beat at high speed for 5 min. add more confectioners sugar to thicken or more water to thin as needed. |
| 7 | Reserve 1 c frosting. |
| 8 | Tint remaining frosting w/ green food coloring. |
| 9 | Cut cooled cake diagonally and invert one piece so that the cake takes on a tree shape with a wide base. |
| 10 | Spread green frosting over cake. |
| 11 | Decorate tree with reserved white frosting and peppermint candies. |
| 12 | Make trunk from pretzel rods. |
| 13 | Roll out large gumdrop and cut with star cookie cutter. |
| 14 | Top tree with gumdrop star. |
