White Rabbit Graham Cracker Cottages

Description

Source: ALICE in WONDERLAND THE OFFICIAL COOKBOOK - ELENA CRAIG & S. T. BENDE

The path down the rabbit hole is filled with curiosities, from floating chairs to magical potions. Wonderland’s unusual epicurean side effect—that of growing and shrinking its culinary connoisseurs—is an experience most visitors would find rather abhorrent. Although Alice has a larger-than-life experience inside the White Rabbit’s home, architects of these Graham Cracker Houses will find their structures perfectly suited to their individual tastes—as it should be!

Ingredients

• One 14-ounce box of graham crackers
• Brown and green food coloring (or additional colors, as desired)
• 8 cups sifted powdered sugar (about 2 pounds)
• 6 tablespoons meringue powder
• ⅔ cup water
• 6 sheets of graham crackers, plus a few extra in case of breakage
• About 30 mini cereal wheat squares
• 1 long pretzel rod
• Chocolate rocks
• Additional candy décor (optional)

Directions

1. To make the Royal Icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the sifted powdered sugar and the meringue powder.
2. Add the water, mix on low for 1 minute, stop the mixer, and scrape down the sides.
3. Continue to mix for another 7 to 9 minutes on low until the icing holds stiff peaks.
4. Split the icing into separate bowls.
5. Leave some white, dye some a light brown to match the graham cracker, dye some a darker brown for the Tudor details, dye some green, and continue with any other colors you choose.
6. To build the house: Using a bread knife, cut one graham cracker sheet in half along the short perforation, creating two almost-squares, and set aside.
7. Cut a second sheet in half the same way.
8. Cut each square in half on the diagonal by gently sawing, to create two triangles.
9. You need only two complete triangles for each house, so some breakage is okay.
10. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
11. Use the light brown icing to “glue” one triangle to the slightly longer side of a graham cracker square.
12. Place this graham cracker flat on the baking sheet, and repeat with a second square and triangle.
13. Allow to set for about 15 minutes.
14. While the end pieces are flat and setting, add any details you want to them, such as a door, vines, Tudor details, and windows.
15. You can also add details to the two whole graham cracker sheets that will make up the sides of the house.
16. When the icing on these pieces has set, use the light brown icing to glue the two ends to one long side.
17. Gently hold the pieces upright for a few minutes, and then allow to set about 15 minutes.
18. When this has set, gently attach the remaining side, and allow another 15 minutes to set.
19. Line each exposed edge of the house with the tan icing, and place two complete sheets along the edges of the triangle ends, making sure they “rest” on the side edges of the structure.
20. Don’t worry if a gap appears at the roof peak—the pretzel rod will cover this.
21. Allow the graham crackers to set another 15 to 20 minutes.
22. When the roof is set, add the “thatch” by using dark brown frosting to “glue” the wheat squares onto the roof.
23. Top with the pretzel beam.
24. Use the white frosting to add the chocolate “stone work” to the base of the house.
25. Use other frosting colors or candy to add any other desired details, such as paths, a garden, or flowers.
26. Allow the houses to dry completely, and then display.

Yield: About 4 houses and about 3 cups Royal Icing