Imagine transforming ordinary graham crackers into magical miniature houses that not only look adorable but also create a warm, festive ambiance with twinkling tea lights! These charming Graham Cracker Gingerbread House Votives are the perfect blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and cozy holiday cheer. Whether you're looking to add a whimsical touch to your holiday decor or create a delightful family activity, these miniature edible-and-illuminating masterpieces will spark joy and wonder for both kids and adults alike.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 votives
Ingredients
- 1 package graham crackers
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted candies for decoration
- Tea lights
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and gathering all ingredients and tools.
- Carefully break graham crackers into precise rectangular shapes using a sharp knife, creating walls and roof pieces for miniature houses. Aim for uniform sizes to ensure structural integrity.
- Create royal icing by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth and thick enough to hold shape when piped.
- Transfer royal icing into a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag with a small corner snipped off for precise application.
- Begin assembling house structures by applying royal icing along edges to "glue" graham cracker pieces together, creating four walls first and allowing initial structure to set for 5-10 minutes.
- Carefully attach roof pieces using additional royal icing, ensuring a slight overlap and secure connection points.
- Decorate houses with assorted candies using royal icing as adhesive, creating intricate designs and patterns.
- Allow completed houses to dry completely at room temperature for approximately 1-2 hours until icing is firm and stable.
- Once fully set, carefully place a tea light inside each votive, ensuring graham cracker structure is not directly touching flame.
- Display votives on a heat-safe surface and enjoy the warm, festive glow of your handcrafted graham cracker houses.
Tips
- Precision is Key: Use a sharp knife and ruler to ensure your graham cracker pieces are uniform, which helps in creating stable structures.
- Royal Icing Consistency: Aim for a thick, pipe-able icing that holds its shape. If too runny, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add milk gradually.
- Patience Matters: Allow each stage of construction to set properly before adding the next element to prevent structural collapse.
- Candy Decoration Hack: Lay out candies beforehand and plan your design to create visually appealing and symmetrical decorations.
- Safety First: Always place tea lights on a heat-safe surface and ensure graham cracker structures are not directly touching the flame.
- Make Extras: Graham cracker houses can be delicate, so prepare a few additional pieces in case of breakage.
- Storage Tip: Store completed votives in a cool, dry place to maintain their structural integrity until ready to display.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
