Gingercorn House

Materials Needed

• 3 batches (6 slabs) ACT II^® Gingercorn, recipe below
• 1 batch ACT II Gingercorn House frosting, recipe below
• Large pieces of corrugated cardboard
• Masking tape
• Assorted candies and cookies for decoration: gumdrops, licorice pastels, jelly beans, red hots and Boston baked beans

Gingercorn Recipe

Ingredients

• 24 cups popped ACT II^® Microwave Popcorn
• 3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons water
• 3/4 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 3/4 tablespoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. In large bowl, place popped corn; set aside.
2. Lightly grease two 15x10-inch jelly roll pans.
3. In Dutch oven, bring sugar, corn syrup, butter, water, cream of tartar and salt to a boil. Boil rapidly until mixture reaches hard ball stage (250°F on candy thermometer); remove from heat.
4. In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; add to boiled mixture.
5. Pour over popped corn, tossing gently to coat.
6. Pour into prepared jelly roll pans and pat to even layer. Let cool 15 to 30 minutes. Cover loosely and set aside.

House Frosting Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 egg whites, at room temperature
• 2 lbs. confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup cocoa
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

1. In medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
2. Gradually add sugar, cocoa and cream of tartar, beating until icing is stiff enough to hold its shape.
3. Place sheet of plastic wrap on icing surface to keep from drying out.

House Assembly Directions

1. Cut out two five-sided pieces of cardboard to resemble the front and back of a house. The two angled sides that form the roof of the house should measure 4 inches in length.
2. Cut out three pieces of cardboard to form the walls and base of the house. These pieces should be 8 inches in length.
3. Masking-tape house into place.
4. Spread medium-thick layer of ACT II House Frosting on front of cardboard house. Cut and fit popcorn slab to front. Continue until all slabs have been fitted with frosting onto house. If desired, trim roof's overhang slightly.
5. Using remaining frosting to secure candy decorations, decorate house as desired. Refrigerate remaining frosting for repairs.
6. House should remain intact minimum of five days in moderate to low humidity if kept out of direct sunlight. In more humid climate, spray house with shellac before decorating. If using shellac, house is not edible.