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Whether it's the holiday season or a special celebration, this beautifully decorated Gingercorn House is a festive addition to any party. And the whole family can share in the fun of decorating!
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
ACT II® Microwave Popcorn Gingercorn Recipe
Makes: one batch (2 slabs). (Note: Should be in template)
Ingredients:
24 c. popped ACT II® Microwave Popcorn, Old-Fashioned Natural flavor (5 to 6 bags)
3 c. sugar
3/4 c. light corn syrup
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. water
3/4 tbsp. cream of tartar
3/4 tbsp. salt
11/2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. ginger
11/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. nutmeg
Directions:
- In large bowl, place popped corn; set aside.
- Lightly grease two 15- x 10-inch jelly roll pans.
- 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.
- In small bowl, combine remaining ingredients; add to boiled mixture.
- Pour over popped corn, tossing gently to coat.
- Pour into prepared jelly roll pans and pat to even layer. Let cool 15 to 30 minutes. Cover loosely and set aside.
ACT II® House Frosting
Makes: 4 cups
Ingredients:
6 egg whites, at room temperature
2 lbs. confectioner's sugar
1 c. cocoa
1 tsp. cream of tartar
Directions:
- In medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar, cocoa, and cream of tartar, beating until icing is stiff enough to hold its shape.
- Place sheet of plastic wrap on icing surface to keep from drying out.
House Assembly
- Measure and cut four 15- x 10-inch rectangles out of cardboard to form the side walls and roof of house.
- Measure and cut two five-sided forms with the following dimensions: 10- x 10- x 10- x 5- x 5-inch. These form the front and back walls of the house. If desired, cut out front door and windows.
- Masking-tape house into place using two five-sided forms as front and back walls, two 15- x 10-inch rectangles for side walls and two 15x10-inch rectangles for sloping roof.
- 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.
- Using remaining frosting to secure candy decorations, decorate house as desired. Refrigerate remaining frosting for repairs.
- 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.
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