FUNDRAISING: Rice Krispie Church Silent Auction

Ever make a Gingerbread house?  It can be a daunting task.  Ever make a cereal treat or Rice Krispie treat house?  It's a lot easier and kids love to eat them.  I put some chocolate chips in mine to make it look like an old stone church.  I tried to get a cross to put on the top but my great idea of making it in chocolote failed miserably.  I have to think about that...

Anyway, I thought it would be a great idea to have the youth make and decorate a bunch of Krispie Churches or Houses and then auction them off for a fundraiser.  If they take some real time and make them creative they might make some good money!  Here are suggestions based on my experience:

• Don't make the church too big!  If you need a template check here.
• If you make a dark church use melted chocolate chips as glue.  I put 1 cup of chocolate chips into a regular recipe of Rice Krisipie treats.  If you want it lighter, put in less.
• If you're making a bunch you'll save money on candy because you won't waste a whole bag for just one or two.
• Be creative!  Don't forget that pretzels can make a nice fence.
• Use regular royal icing to decorate with wreaths, trees, etc.  (I tried to use food coloring with white chocolate and it didn't work out so well.)
• Make the walls and wait a while for them to get good and hard before you put them together.  Make sure the roof isn't too soft before you put it on and wait overnight for all the glue (choc chips or frosting) to harden.
• Don't decorate on the same day you put them together.  You want them solid before decorating.
• Use a cup or lid of some kind to cut out a perfect circle.
• If you want to make stained or colored glass, use a regular hard candy recipe.  Bring to a boil and then turn down to medium heat.  Swirl in a few drops of food coloring and pour at 300 degrees.  Put your wall (back or inside to counter) on a sheet of aluminum foil and pour the candy directly into the hole.  Let cool and harden before removing the foil.

Recipes:

Rice Krispie Treats

3 Tblsp butter

4 cups marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies

Hard Candy Windows

1 1/2 c sugar

3/4 c water

Quickly swirl in color and pour at 300 degrees F.

Royal Icing

1 lb powdered sugar

1 tsp cream of tartar

3 egg whites

Color and beat until stiff.