Is your dad more of a meat-and-potatoes guy than a sugary cake-and-icing one? Then he’s going to love this “cake” from Cookies, Cupcakes and Cardio— and you’re not going to believe what’s in it. Take a look at this solution to the Father’s Day treat dilemma.

You’ll Need:

Meatloaf
– 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) lean ground beef
– 1 medium onion, chopped
– 8 soda crackers, crushed
– 1 egg beaten
– 1/2 cup milk
These ingredients make one layer of cake. Double for two layers!
Cake Decorations
– Mashed potatoes
– Bacon
– Tomatoes
– Carrots
– Green onions

How To:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, crackers, egg and milk. Mix using your hands until all ingredients are combined.
3. Press the meat mixture into the greased cake pan.
4. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until cooked thoroughly.
5. Repeat for second layer of cake, if making one.
6. As the meatloaf bakes, roll individual pieces of bacon into rose shapes and secure with a toothpick.
7. Place the bacon roses in a muffin tin.
8. Once the meatloaf has been removed from the oven, increase the temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the bacon roses for 20 to 25 minutes.
9. Place the baked bacon roses on a paper towel to absorb grease when cooked.
10. Once meatloaf is cooked, place one layer of meatloaf onto a plate and cover it with mashed potatoes. Place second layer on top, and cover entire cake with potatoes.
11. Place the remaining potatoes into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip opening. Pipe potato flowers along top and bottom border of cake.
12. To make tomato flowers, use a vegetable peeler to peel a long piece of tomato skin. Roll the tomato skin up like a rose.
13. Repeat for carrot, peeling a piece of thin carrot, and rolling. Place carrot roll inside of tomato roll.
14. Cut off a one-inch long piece of green onion, and fray one end. Place into carrot/tomato flower.
15. Arrange vegetable and bacon roses on top of cake as desired.
16. Use ketchup to pipe any desired message on top of the cake. Finish garnishes off with green onion and ketchup dollops on top of potato flowers.

When it comes time to eat, the cake will, of course, have cooled after decorating. To warm, either place it in the oven, or slice and heat in the microwave. Be careful not to dry out the potatoes! The cake will keep for 2 to 3 days. Do you think your dad would like this “cake” for Father’s Day? Does it appeal to you, or do you prefer traditional flour and sugar?