We think of Christmas when we think of gingerbread houses, but how about making a haunted house? Kids will love to construct and create their own scary structure. Instead of using baked gingerbread pieces, this cookie haunted house is created from chocolate graham crackers. These cookie haunted houses will look good enough to eat, but they are for decoration only.
Each haunted house is made from eight whole chocolate graham crackers, nonedible icing, Halloween candy decorations, and heavy cardboard. Cut the cardboard into an eight inch square. This is the base for the haunted house. Make the nonedible icing; each batch makes two houses.
To make Nonedible Icing, beat two egg whites at high speed until frothy. Add ½ teaspoon cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add one pound of powdered sugar, beating until blended. Icing will be the consistency of sticky glue. Add brown food coloring (can be found in paste form at cake decorating supply stores). Spoon into heavy-duty ziploc bags and seal bags. Secure top with rubber band to prevent leaks. Just before use, cut a tiny hole in one corner of the bag.
The first step to make the cookie haunted house is to design the windows and door. Lay four crackers on a tray or wax paper. With the icing bag, draw the outline of the haunted windows and front door. Use candy such as black string licorice for windowsills and door jams. Tiny red-hot candies can be placed in the window for scary eyes that are looking out.
Next, assemble the sides of the haunted house, with the icing bag draw a square 5" in size on the cardboard base. Place a line of icing down the side of each cracker wall, and stand the walls of the house in the icing on the base. Hold each wall for at least one minute until it sets. Kids may need a partner to build this portion of the haunted house.
To put on the roof, cut a triangle corner off two ends of one cracker. Repeat with a second cracker. Place icing on the top edge of the house walls, and all the sides of two whole crackers and the two triangle-shaped crackers. Again with a partner’s help, place a triangle cracker on the front and backside of the house and the two long crackers for the roof sides. Let dry for about one minute or until hard.
Finally, finish the haunted house by decorating with bits of Halloween candy. Place round pumpkin candies in front of the haunted house, attach white marshmallow ghosts to the walls, and use cotton candy threads to make spider webs. With left over crackers, cut into smaller rectangle pieces and build a chimney on the roof. It’s okay if it crumbles and breaks that will add to the scary haunted house effect.
When this fun Halloween activity is finished, display the cookie haunted house as a Halloween party centerpiece! |
