Hansel & Gretel’s Candy House

These houses look just like gingerbread houses, but are not as hard to make. They brighten up any deep winter day!

• graham crackers, six squares for each house
• cardboard beverage cartons, 1/2 pint size, wash & dried (milk, juice,etc.)
• frosting (see recipe below)
• assorted small candies for decorating the house
• multi-colored miniature marshmallows
• dry cereal in assorted shapes
• ice cream cone, the pyramid-shaped sugar cone type
• sturdy paper plate for each house

Prepare the frosting ahead of time, and keep it covered in the refrigerator (it will keep for up to three days).

Frosting Recipe (makes enough for two houses)

• 1 pound confectionery sugar
• 6 Tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 – 4 Tablespoons milk (soy, rice, or cow milk)

Blend all ingredients thoroughly. Add more milk or sugar until you reach the desired consistency – spreadable but not runny. Save a small amount to dye green for the trees, using green food coloring. To begin the houses, dab a tablespoon of frosting on the bottom of the beverage carton, and stick it firmly in place in the middle of the paper plate. The icing acts as a glue and keeps the house from sliding around on the plate. Then, dab a tablespoon or so of frosting on the back of each of four square crackers. Press them in place against the four sides of the carton. The roof is the tricky part: Dab about two tablespoons of frosting on the backs of two square crackers. Gently position the crackers on top of the carton, holding them in place to create the roof. It works best if you hold them in place for a minute or so until the frosting dries a little. Also, if your frosting is too thin, the roof pieces may slide down. Add more powdered sugar to stiffen the frosting. To cover the eaves at the front and back of the house, a small rectangle of cracker can be broken into a triangular shape and attached with frosting. To make it easier for young children, an adult can cover this eave area with frosting, hiding the carton there completely. Now, the house is ready to decorate! Place candy, cereal or marshmallows onto the frosting before it dries. Spread the roof with frosting and place marshmallows or cereal pieces onto it in rows. Sprinkle powdered sugar over the roof to look like a skiff of snow is on the roof. Icicles of frosting can be draped down from the roofline with a spoon. Candies and cereals can be used to create a path, door, chimney and windows. To create a beautiful tree for the birds in the front yard, turn a sugar cone upside down and cover it with green frosting. Stick seeds, beans, peas, cereals or little candies all over it. Little graham cracker bears or gummy bears might stand in front of the house. Dab some frosting on their bases, to securely glue them in place. These little houses make yummy treats. If you want to save yours, wrap very tightly.