Friday, December 19, 2008

Gingerbread House

This morning we had some friends over to make gingerbread houses. As much as I love to eat gingerbread, I didn't feel up to the challenge of making the gingerbread and the glue. So we made gingerbread houses preschool style - quick, easy, low stress, great for groups of kids. The kids had a great time, even if we did all eat a bit too much candy.

In the past I have used the little goldfish cracker boxes that look like tiny milk cartons as a base, but at Target they had these perfect animal cracker boxes. I just cut the handle off of the top and it was perfect.

First, cover a sturdy paper plate or piece of cardboard with foil, put a dab of white frosting on the bottom of the box and press it down so it doesn't slide all over the plate.
I love this picture because it looks like the package of graham crackers is floating.

Next, frost all four sides of the box and press graham cracker pieces all around the box. (Note: Target brand graham crackers break apart beautifully - did I mention I love Target?).
Now, frost the 'roof' and decorate with candy. Boo mostly used M&M's and Hershey's Kisses.
The more, the merrier.
The finished product....
Some of the kids frosted the graham crackers and added candy to the sides of the house too. We also had a bit of coconut colored green to sprinkle around the house as grass.

Next week I think we'll try sugar cookies. I strongly dislike store bought cookie dough, so I will be forced to actually make the dough myself. Stay tuned.

4 comments:

  1. I have two easy sugar cookie recipes--one for cut out cookies, and one for drop sugar cookies--if you are interested. And I am all about the graham cracker houses--but I had never heard of using a box for the base. We just use sugar super glue and glue it together and then let the kids at it.

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  2. Forced to make sugar cookies...you are so funny. Since when was cooking a chore for you? Do you need a reliable recipe?

    Gwen

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  3. Every so often you post a picture of Boo that I have to take a double look at cause it looks like my little girl but with blond hair.

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  4. You are sooo smart! Me and my mother in law are amazed at this simple preschool solution! We were going to give up on this with the kids cause it seemed like too big of a hassle! Your too smart!!! Thank you thank you!

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