Marshmallow Treat Gingerbread House

December 2007

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Build the ultimate gingerbread house out of cereal—then gather the kids for an afternoon of holiday decorating.

1 servings Prep: 3 hrs Cook: 15 mins

Ingredients

Tip Place one cereal layer (get the recipe) on a cutting board. Cut a 2-inch strip off the long side. Repeat with the remaining two layers to get three strips.Cut each strip crosswise into four 2-by-3-inch rectangles to make 12 small rectangles.Stand five 2-by-3-inch rectangles on their 3-inch edge. Using a pastry bag, pipe royal icing (get the recipe) down the exposed 3-inch edge.Stick the rectangles together to make 1 roof panel. Repeat Step 3 with five more rectangles to make the second roof panel.Pipe a line of icing down the seam of each roof panel and affix a 3-inch stick of red licorice to each piped seam.Cut one of the trimmed cereal layers in half crosswisePlace the walls perpendicular to each other on the 14-by- 18-inch cardboard base, with the short walls inside the long walls.Set the 9-by-12-inch cardboard on top of the house. Lean the roof panels on an angle so they support each other on the board.Cut the remaining two small rectangles into triangles to fill in the gaps on either end of the roof panels.Place large marshmallows along the ridge of the roof panels to fill in the top gap.Pipe icing along the bottom edge of the roof panels and on the long edge of the cardboard on both sides of the house.Affix five chocolate-covered graham "tiles" along the piped icing. Pipe more icing and affix three more "tiles" to the roof's short ends.Now decorate! Turn the fun into a party with how-tos and menu ideas.

3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter
6 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
4 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
Salt
6 10 1/2 ounce bags mini marshmallows
2 18 ounce boxes crisp rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies
Royal Icing
12 3 inches pieces red licorice twists
10 large marshmallows
20 chocolate-covered graham crackers
5 1/2-inch-thick slices pound cake
Assorted candies, for decorating

Directions

Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, then line with enough parchment paper to leave several inches of overhang on each long side.
In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium-low heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in 2 bags of mini marshmallows and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the marshmallows are melted. Meanwhile, pour 12 cups cereal into a large bowl. Add the cereal to the marshmallow mixture and fold in quickly to coat. Scrape the cereal mixture into the prepared pan; let cool for a few minutes.
Lightly coat your hands with oil, then press the cereal mixture evenly into the pan. Using a dry measuring cup, pack down the mixture to even out the layer. Let cool for 30 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife, then grasp the parchment and lift to remove the cooled cereal layer from the pan. Repeat Steps 1, 2 and 3 to make 2 more cereal layers.
Assemble the house and decorate with the remaining ingredients.