Teacher's Favorite Apple Crunch Cookie

Walls:  Line 2-3 sheet pans with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C).  Beat butter and sugar together in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, apple powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and set aside. Add egg whites to your butter-sugar mixture one at a time, beating until well incorporated. Beginning on low/med speed, add the flour-apple mixture to the butter-sugar mixture in 1/4 c increments, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Reserve approximately 1/2  c and check the consistency of your dough.  If it is clay-like and workable, do not add the remaining flour mixture.  If it is still sticky, continue to add flour in small increments until you achieve the right texture. The dough should stick together when pinched between your fingers. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth with dry hands. Roll into 2 separate balls and wrap with plastic wrap. You can use the dough right away, or refrigerate for up to 24h in advance. 

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Dust your work surface and parchment paper with flour. Unwrap a dough ball, cut it in half, and place it on the parchment paper. Roll it out into 1/8” thickness and place the parchment on a sheet pan. If you are using an Edible Architect cookie texture roller, roll it across your dough before cutting.  Use a generous amount of flour.

Cut out your Edible Architect cookie cutter construction set pieces, beginning with the largest first. Be sure to make two each of the relevant pieces, as required by your blueprints. If any pieces break, gently push them back together before baking. Keep any scraps, mushing them into a ball, and knead them (wetting hands if necessary), before rolling out again. Repeat until you have cut out all pieces and removed all cutouts from window and door openings.  Sprinkle all cookie pieces with sugar before baking.  Bake for approx. 10-12 minutes, or until just becoming golden.  

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Once all of the pieces are baked, allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack or parchment-lined countertop to cool completely. Once cool, pieces should have a crisp texture and should be sturdy enough for construction. Do not worry if you have any breaks. You can repair them with royal icing (mortar) and set them aside to dry.

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Caramel Candy Windows (Optional): 

Place your hard candies in a sealed storage bag, discarding any wrappers. Using your rolling pin, crush the candies into small pieces. Add the pieces to the cutouts in your cottage walls, ensuring that once melted, the candies will fill each opening entirely. Place in your preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for approx. 5 minutes, once candies have melted and may just begin to bubble. Turn off your oven. Allow your walls to cool completely. When ready to start assembly, begin making your mortar. 

 

Mortar: Add 3 large egg whites (at room temperature) to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whip on high approx. 2-3 minutes, until foamy. Add lemon juice and whip until incorporated.  

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Dry-mix confectioner’s sugar and cream of tartar, then add this mixture slowly to the egg whites. Beat slowly until combined, scraping down the bowl with a spatula if needed. Increase the mixer's speed to high, and continue beating for 5-7 minutes. The consistency should be airy and firm enough to hold your building together. If you need a thicker consistency, add confectioner’s sugar. If you need a thinner consistency, add a small amount of water. 

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​Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a tip if desired (wide enough to accommodate thick frosting), and seal the end with a clip. Your mortar should be used right away!

Follow the build plan on the back of your cookie cutter construction set blueprints to construct your house.