Walkers Manor House
Anonymous
Ingredients:
Instructions are for a finished 10" length x 9" wide 12" tall house.
Supplies for frame:
Sturdy cardboard box (about 10" x 9" x 7")
2 pieces heavy cardboard for roof (10" x 9")
Scissors & small knife
Masking tape
Supplies for construction:
13 boxes of Walkers Shortbread Fingers (5.3 oz each)
4 boxes of Walkers Shortbread Triangles (5.3 oz each)
2 boxes of Walkers Shortbread Rounds (5.3 oz each)
3 Recipes for Ornamental Frosting* (see recipe below)
Supplies for landscaping:
Fanciful miniature decorations and Moss or "grass"
Ornamental Frosting:
1 16 oz. package confectioners sugar
1/3 cup warm water
3 tablespoons meringue powder
Preparation Instructions
MAKE FRAME: Cut the two short flaps of cardboard box to point to form sides of manor house. Fold in large flaps as if closing box. Tape in place. To support roof: tape four to five empty boxes of shortbread closed. Stack on top of box. Tape in place. Slit a box of shortbread fingers lengthwide. Slip one inside the other and tape to boxes supporting roof.
SHINGLE THE ROOF: Tape two pieces of cardboard together, long side to long side. With frosting, glue shortbread triangles ("shingles") to cardboard. Dry overnight, if possible.
LAY THE "BRICKS": Using the frosting for mortar, dip side and bottom of bricks in frosting (fork-pricked side out) glue to box. (Stagger shortbreads to look like bricks; dovetail corner bricks.) Complete brick work, cutting bricks with small knife to fit roof line.
ADD A FINISHING TOUCH: Paste on shortbread fingers and shortbread rounds for door, holding in place until set. For chimney, paste one or two stacks of fingers to side of house with frosting between each. Paste on shortbread rounds for windows in the front, side and back of Manor House. Arrange roof on house.
THE LANDSCAPING: Place Manor House on tray or wooden board, larger than house. Set miniature decorations in place around house.
ORNAMENTAL FROSTING:
In a large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat sugar, water and meringue powder until it is thick and glue-like consistency. Place in small cereal bowl for easy dipping of shortbread. If frosting hardens, stir in a drop or two of warm water. NOTE: Make a batch at a time, as needed.
*If you do not wish to nibble on the cottage but keep it for a longer period of time, instead of frosting, use one 32 oz. container of Elmers Glue All. Spray finished cottage with two to three coats of clear shellac sealer and finisher.
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