Holiday Fun:
(NC)-The kids are out of school, at home, excited about the holiday season, and full of energy. Instead of letting their enthusiasm get the best of you, funnel it in to some positive and artistic projects. Baking is one of the best ways to create some lasting (and messy) holiday memories with your kids. Tie on the aprons, turn on the festive music and let the magic begin with "kid-friendly" holiday recipes that will inspire creativity and bring a smile to every family member.
"A classic recipe to make with your kids during the holidays is a gingerbread house," says Trish Magwood, chef and mother of three. "Because the recipe is traditionally precarious, I have a great suggestion to keep spirits up (as well as the roof). By substituting a Rice Krispies Square mixture for the wall and roof, you can avoid caved-in houses and unhappy cooks!"
After the base is built, let the creativity flow and watch a fantasy house unfold with colourful decoration. You can find other creative holiday recipes like this one online at www.ricekrispies.ca.
Rice Krispies Holiday House
Ingredients:
125 mL 1/2 cup margarine or butter
500 g 2 pkg (about 80) regular marshmallows or 10 cups miniature
5 mL 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
3 L 12 cups holiday Rice Krispies cereal
Prepared frosting
Gumdrops
Candy coated milk chocolate pieces
Red cinnamon candies
Powdered sugar
Candy sprinkles
Preparation:
1. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 3 tablespoons margarine and 5 cups marshmallows and stir until completely melted. When marshmallows have melted, increase heat to medium and cook for two minutes longer or until mixture starts to boil. Stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla. Add 6 cups of cereal, stirring until well coated. Quickly press into 32 cm x 22 cm pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. While mixture is cooling repeat step one, pressing mixture evenly into a 40 cm x 26 cm pan lightly coated in cooking spray.
3. Assemble House: Turn the first pan of squares onto a foil lined tray with right side up. This will be the base of the house.
4. Cut the second pan of squares into six 12.5 cm x 9 cm rectangles while still in pan.
5. Remove the six cut pieces from the pan. Set aside the remainder of the mixture for chimney doors and windows.
6. Cut front and back walls. Angle sharp knife from left side wall to centre of front side wall and cut off corners. Repeat cut back wall.
7. Preheat oven to low heat. Place all cut pieces about 3 cm apart on a cookie sheet covered with cooking spray. Cook for 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Reshape pieces with knife or spatula. Cool completely. Remove pieces from cookie sheet.
8. Generously pipe prepared frosting on each end of the side walls. Stand the front wall on the centre of the house base. Attach right side wall. Then attach the back and left side walls.
9. To attach roof, place prepared frosting around the top edges of the front and back wall. Attach remaining pieces to form the roof. Use reserved pieces to make chimney, a door and window. Use prepared frosting to attach pieces to house. Decorate with candy as desired. Use powdered sugar to resemble snow.
- News Canada