As we all know, Netflix’s Stranger Things has swept the nation and inflicted many unsuspecting viewers with a strong case of incessant binge-watching. Everyone’s talking about its enticing plot, its hooking 1980’s setting, its fascinating soundtrack, and of course, its creepy alternative universe, the “Upside Down.”

Over at our nerdy cooking show, Nerd Noms, we try to come up with innovative recipes inspired by our favorite stories, and we just couldn’t resist the urge to make a Stranger Things upside down cake to bring that disturbing other world to life — and deliciously.

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 bags frozen berries
• 2 packets Funfetti Aqua Blue (or more depending on pan)
• 1 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup oil
• 4 egg whites
• 1 package vanilla pudding
• Food coloring
• Black and white fondant
• Edible markers
• Miniature string of Christmas lights

 

STEP ONE

Fill the bottom of an upside down cake pan with a layer of berries. We chose to use frozen raspberries, strawberries and blackberries to give it a goopy bloody effect. The grosser the better!

 

STEP TWO

Using Funfetti’s “Aqua Blue” cake mix, combine the ingredients listed on the back and follow the instructions. In our video we used two packets, but I would suggest using three or four to make sure your cake is nice and plump. Alternatively, you may also use two boxes of white cake mix and color it with food coloring, but we loved the vibrant color of Funfetti‘s blue mix!

 

STEP THREE

Pour the cake mix into the upside down cake pan. Smooth it out with a spatula, then bake at 350° F for one hour. Let cool completely before proceeding.

 

STEP FOUR

Make one package of vanilla pudding and mix in 50 drops of red food coloring and 10 drops of green food coloring, or play around with food coloring until you get the proper “bloody” color you desire.

 

STEP FIVE

Once cake has completely cooled, flip it upside down and slide the pan off of the cake. Pour the pudding into the center hole of the cake.

 

STEP SIX

Taking about a fist sized ball of white fondant, mix several drops of yellow food coloring and kneed it until it becomes a creamy off-white color. Using a rolling pin, roll the fondant until it is a flat circle and the circumference of the top of your cake. Gently place the fondant on top of the cake and smooth it out.

 

STEP SEVEN

Draw and cut out a Demogorgon on a piece of paper. Make sure it is tall enough to be placed on the outer rim of your cake.

 

STEP EIGHT

Roll out several pieces of black fondant. Using the Demogorgon stencil you just cut out, trace the shape over the fondant and cut out several pieces. We found that six pieces was enough to wrap around the whole cake.

 

STEP NINE

Gently stick your Demogorgons around the rim of the cake. Press down to make sure they stick to every surface.

 

STEP TEN

Using edible markers (which can be found at any baking or craft store), draw tiny flowers all over the cream fondant surface to imitate Joyce’s wallpaper. Then draw the alphabet over top, once again imitating the wallpaper. Finally, take your string of miniature Christmas lights (we found ours at Michael’s) and wrap it around the letters.

 

You’ve successfully created a portal into the Upside Down! Enjoy slicing this Stranger Things upside down open and watching the goopy bloody pudding spill out before your eyes. Yum!