All Aboard Snickerdoodle Train Recipe

How to Make All Aboard Snickerdoodle Train

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Grease and flour your Nordicware train pan.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together:
4. • 2 cups all-purpose flour
5. • 1 cup granulated sugar
6. • 2 teaspoons baking powder
7. • 1 teaspoon baking soda
8. • 1/2 teaspoon salt
9. • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10. In a medium bowl, combine:
11. • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
12. • 1/2 cup sour cream
13. • 2 large eggs
14. • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15. • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
16. Mix until well blended.
17. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
18. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute.
19. Carefully spoon batter into the train pan, dividing evenly among the cups.
20. Gently tap the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles.
21. Spread batter to the top edges of each cup, keeping the center slightly lower.
22. Bake for 20-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
23. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
24. Invert cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
25. While cakes cool, prepare the frosting:
26. In a large bowl, cream together:
27. • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
28. • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
29. • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
30. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth.
31. Add 2-4 tablespoons of milk, beating until light and fluffy.
32. Set aside 2 1/2 cups of frosting; color as desired for decorating the train cars.
33. Tint the remaining frosting green.
34. Prepare train tracks: Cut black licorice twists in half lengthwise. Use a glue gun to attach licorice to a piece of sturdy cardboard, shaping as desired.
35. Spread green frosting around the train tracks on the cardboard and sprinkle with green sugar.
36. Frost the cooled train cars with the colored frosting. Decorate with assorted candies.
37. Place the decorated train onto the tracks and enjoy!