Christmas Candy Train

Name: Christmas Candy Train
Prep time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 1 train.
Ingredients: 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water; 4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder; 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar; ASSEMBLY:; 12 whole graham crackers; 12 chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies; 4 chocolate wafers; Assorted decorations: peppermint candies, gumdrops, Life Savers Gummies, M&M's miniature baking bits, Twizzlers Rainbow Twists, Pull-n-Peel licorice, black licorice twists and additional candies and cookies

Create a new holiday tradition with this kid-friendly candy train. Mix and match with cookies and candies you have on hand.

Ingredients

2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water
4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
ASSEMBLY:
12 whole graham crackers
12 chocolate cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
4 chocolate wafers
Assorted decorations: peppermint candies, gumdrops, Life Savers Gummies, M&M's miniature baking bits, Twizzlers Rainbow Twists, Pull-n-Peel licorice, black licorice twists and additional candies and cookies

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Cover frosting with a damp cloth between uses.
Break three graham crackers in half, forming six squares; trim side edges with a serrated knife if desired. Place five halved crackers on a piece of waxed paper; microwave on high for 15-20 seconds or until softened. Using the wide end of a small pastry tip, cut out a hole 1/4 in. from the bottom of each cracker.
Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert a #4 round pastry tip. Fill the bag with icing. Pipe icing on the edges of a whole cracker for car base. Attach another whole cracker and the halved cracker without a cutout (for engine front) at right angles to each other, forming two walls of the engine car. Pipe icing along inside and outside edges for added stability. Repeat with second side section and back.
Repeat twice, forming two box cars. Let engine car and box cars stand until set, about 1 hour.
Using icing, attach cookies to cars for wheels. For boiler, sandwich two wafers with icing; attach to front of engine. Microwave two wafers on high for 10-15 seconds or until softened. Cut with a serrated knife to form a smokestack and cowcatcher. Attach to engine. Let stand until set.
Attach peppermint candies and halved gumdrops to wheels with icing. Decorate cars with Life Savers Gummies, miniature baking bits, slices of Rainbow Twists and Pull-n-Peel licorice. Add a headlight to boiler using a Life Savers Gummy and a gumdrop. Decorate boiler with baking bits and attach licorice strips to cowcatcher.
Place cars on a covered cake board and add couplings to connect the cars using black licorice. Let stand until set. Fill cars with candies and cookies.

Editor's Note

Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Call 800-794-5866 or visit wilton.com.

Originally published as Christmas Train in Christmas Recipes & Crafts

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gina.kapfhamer

Jan 11, 2018

Every Christmas we try and find some sort of activity that we can do with the whole family (whether it's a game or an outing or something similar). Lately, the best thing to do has been baking. Baking as a family unit is always one of those things that brings joyful memories and brings everyone together. The kids can get involved, and the adults can mostly just supervise and continue catching up on life and chatting. The kids were SO EXCITED to do this particular one: the holiday candy train. Not saying that most of the candy didn't get eaten before the train was completed - BUT this recipe was a fun idea for everyone. We definitely will be doing something like this in the future.I saw several Taste of Home recipes that are similar, including gingerbread houses, a cookie train, etc. So I'll definitely be searching around the site to figure out what we should do next year. I will say though, that with the directions, I didn't entirely agree on step number three: the #4 round pastry tip was not the best option. I've used a lot of pastry tips in my life and there are definitely better sizes for this particular step. I'd go with a #3. When you're stocking up on candy, be sure to get several different varieties as well - there are SO MANY options out there, and if the kids (and adults) are going to snack as you go. I saw several Taste of Home recipes that are similar, including gingerbread houses, a cookie train, etc. So I'll definitely be searching around the site to figure out what we should do next year. I will say though, that with the directions, I didn't entirely agree on step number three: the #4 round pastry tip was not the best option. I've used a lot of pastry tips in my life and there are definitely better sizes for this particular step. I'd go with a #3. When you're stocking up on candy, be sure to get several different varieties as well - there are SO MANY options out there, and if the kids (and adults) are going to snack as you go, you'll definitely want to bulk buy the goodies! Tis the season, and all that!