Fun House

by Rosalind Evans
(Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia)

You could say I am a novice with making house cakes but I did get my inspiration from Gingerbread-House-Heaven 2 years ago when I saw all the beautiful masterpieces. I would not say it is overly complicated to make a basic house cake, but I did find it very time consuming being a newby at it. The best part though is.....I found it extremely enjoyable, which is what it is all about, right? I made my own template, and decided instead of having open windows, I wanted glass stained windows. I used plain 'ol barley lollies. I came up with a brilliant idea (but I am sure everyone else already know this trick) and instead of making a huge mess bashing the lollies wrapped in a dry, clean kitchen tea towel, I wacked it all in my food processor and wizzed it on high. Viola! It was easy to fill the window holes with teaspoons full of finely smashed lollies before the cake bits went into the oven. I used basic royal icing at all areas where I had to ice. I even painted my house walls (which I proudly called: cement rendered) with coloured royal icing. I used an assortment of lollies to decorate the house, including making frames around the windows. I had so much fun making this. Next year I am going to be a little more daring and attempt something fancier......like a double storey house! :)