3 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. cold water
1 (16 oz.) tub of ready-to-spread frosting, any flavor
Pastel mint wafers, flattened gum drops of fruit gems, shoe string licorice

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 round pans, 9 x 1 1/2 inches, dust with flour.

2. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

3. Mix oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Stir oil mixture and water into flour mixture real hard until well blended about 1 minute. Immediately pour batter into pans, dividing evenly.

4. Bake until inserted pick in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.

5. Remove from pans; let cool completely. Fill and frost cake as directed on frosting tub. Arrange water "balloons" on top of cake; use licorice to make balloon strings.