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Pioneer Press Cool Castle Contest winners find their creative sweet spot

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Andrea Wambold's sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.

Andrea Wambold's sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.

Andrea Wambold's sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.

Andrea Wambold's sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.

Michelle Larson and Joanna Cahn, both of South St. Paul, made this replica Cathedral of St. Paul. They used sugar cubes and chocolate domes and cooked their own hard-candy "stained glass" for the windows.

Michelle Larson and Joanna Cahn, both of South St. Paul, made this replica Cathedral of St. Paul. They used sugar cubes and chocolate domes and cooked their own hard-candy "stained glass" for the windows.

Sara Fifer and Veronic Starzinski, both of of St. Paul, made this piece, titled "St. Paul Suites Palace." The two used more than 2,500 sugar cubes over 23 hours to make their creation. (Courtesy of Fifer/Starzinski)

Sara Fifer and Veronic Starzinski, both of of St. Paul, made this piece, titled "St. Paul Suites Palace." The two used more than 2,500 sugar cubes over 23 hours to make their creation. (Courtesy of Fifer/Starzinski)

Rosaria Valles, who is turning 9 on Super Bowl Sunday, drew the most viewers' votes withe her sugar cube-and-candy cane castle and skating cheddar penguins.

Rosaria Valles, who is turning 9 on Super Bowl Sunday, drew the most viewers' votes withe her sugar cube-and-candy cane castle and skating cheddar penguins.

Writes Annie Schoenecker of St. Paul: "We are Annie & Ruth, longtime best friends and crafting fanatics. We were Peeps diorama enthusiasts, but our duo was split up when Ruth moved across the country. So when Ruth was visiting from Arizona (yes, she is freezing and no, she doesn't know why she's here either) and saw this contest we knew we had to participate! Our castle is made up of about 2,600 sugar cubes, 5 bags of frosting mortar, 7 cups of coconut snow, and 4 rock candy trees. ... Miraculously only 2 s

Writes Annie Schoenecker of St. Paul: "We are Annie & Ruth, longtime best friends and crafting fanatics. We were Peeps diorama enthusiasts, but our duo was split up when Ruth moved across the country. So when Ruth was visiting from Arizona (yes, she is freezing and no, she doesn't know why she's here either) and saw this contest we knew we had to participate! Our castle is made up of about 2,600 sugar cubes, 5 bags of frosting mortar, 7 cups of coconut snow, and 4 rock candy trees. ... Miraculously only 2 sugar cubes were eaten during the 8 hours it took to complete. ... Our castle was inspired by the classic look of the 1886 ice palace, though it took on its own personality as it was built. It's a castle fit for (tiny) Winter Carnival Royalty, and we think it's pretty sweet!"

From Kim and Rebecca Harrington of St. Paul: "Our home was built (and lived in) by architect Charles Joy, who also built the second Winter Carnival ice castle. This is a facsimile of it, made comepletely of edible materials."

From Kim and Rebecca Harrington of St. Paul: "Our home was built (and lived in) by architect Charles Joy, who also built the second Winter Carnival ice castle. This is a facsimile of it, made comepletely of edible materials."

This project was designed and constructed by the residents of Good Samaritan Society of Inver Grove Heights. The design is constructed out of all edible materials. "We are so proud of our amazing residents!" wrote Jennifer Heesch.

This project was designed and constructed by the residents of Good Samaritan Society of Inver Grove Heights. The design is constructed out of all edible materials. "We are so proud of our amazing residents!" wrote Jennifer Heesch.

Writes Sydney Olsen of Plymouth: "Greetings. Come closer, and Welcome to King MoonRacers Ice Palace on The Island of Misfit Toys. As you can see we are having a party with the North Pole gang. Santa, Mrs. C., an Elf Foreman, Rudolf and Clarice. Sam the Snowman is chillin’ by the icy river with Charlie in-the-box, the sentry for the ice castle. Even Yukon Cornelius is coming late as he is pick axing for gold in our frozen mountains. Nutin’, because it is all edible… The mountains are Fondant on Rice Crispy t

Writes Sydney Olsen of Plymouth: "Greetings. Come closer, and Welcome to King MoonRacers Ice Palace on The Island of Misfit Toys. As you can see we are having a party with the North Pole gang. Santa, Mrs. C., an Elf Foreman, Rudolf and Clarice. Sam the Snowman is chillin’ by the icy river with Charlie in-the-box, the sentry for the ice castle. Even Yukon Cornelius is coming late as he is pick axing for gold in our frozen mountains. Nutin’, because it is all edible… The mountains are Fondant on Rice Crispy treats with Royal Frosting. The walkway is paved with Captain Crunch cereal and Royal Frosting. The castle walls and Trees are sugar cookie forms with Royal Frosting. The turrets are made of plain and sugar cones with Royal Frosting and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. The river is Karo syrup and blue food dye. It’s all very tasty and will sweeten even the grumpiest of Grinch’s who stop by for a treat. I included a picture of my castle at night, so you can see our palace all lit up. We throw Santa, Mrs. Claus and the North Pole gang a party every year before next Christmas so Santa will pick-up our homeless toys and find little boys and girls who will be happy with them. “A toy is never truly happy until it is loved by a child.” Thanks for visiting our Ice Palace. Seasons Greetings! King Moonracer

Writes Gina Santella of Maplewood: "The majestic replica of the 1992 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace was built using over 1,000 sugar cubes that were shaved, cut, shaped and molded into the stunning display seen here. The castle was completed in just over seven hours and surprisingly no sugar cubes were eaten in the making."

Writes Gina Santella of Maplewood: "The majestic replica of the 1992 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace was built using over 1,000 sugar cubes that were shaved, cut, shaped and molded into the stunning display seen here. The castle was completed in just over seven hours and surprisingly no sugar cubes were eaten in the making."

Writes Claire Cambridge of Minneapolis: "Presenting "The Star of the North Castle." Made of 1,260 sugar cubes, 1 pound of sugar, about two whole bottles of Elmer's glue and glitter. Lessons learned: 1. Sugar cubes are NOT equal on all sides (found this out a little too late) and thankfully 2. Hardened sugar is a very forgiving medium."

Writes Claire Cambridge of Minneapolis: "Presenting "The Star of the North Castle." Made of 1,260 sugar cubes, 1 pound of sugar, about two whole bottles of Elmer's glue and glitter. Lessons learned: 1. Sugar cubes are NOT equal on all sides (found this out a little too late) and thankfully 2. Hardened sugar is a very forgiving medium."

Writes Crystal Britzius of New Brighton: "Hanging with our peeps at the Winter Carnival!' By New Brighton Ambassadors Sophie, Danielle, Sarah, Chloe, Madison and Elayna. Made from marshmallows, frosting, cotton candy, Smarties, white chocolate chips and a whole lot of Ambassador love from us in New Brighton to the Winter Carnival family!

Writes Crystal Britzius of New Brighton: "Hanging with our peeps at the Winter Carnival!' By New Brighton Ambassadors Sophie, Danielle, Sarah, Chloe, Madison and Elayna. Made from marshmallows, frosting, cotton candy, Smarties, white chocolate chips and a whole lot of Ambassador love from us in New Brighton to the Winter Carnival family!

Jim Lugowski of Farmington and his 5-year-old grandson Liam built this giant's castle from "Jack and the Beanstalk." They used celery for the beanstalk and -- Liam's choice -- bouillon cubes for the golden eggs. "And, it was easy to see, that in the spirit of the Pioneer Press Peeps Diorama, a peep would do handsomely for the magic hen," Lugowski wrote.

Jim Lugowski of Farmington and his 5-year-old grandson Liam built this giant's castle from "Jack and the Beanstalk." They used celery for the beanstalk and -- Liam's choice -- bouillon cubes for the golden eggs. "And, it was easy to see, that in the spirit of the Pioneer Press Peeps Diorama, a peep would do handsomely for the magic hen," Lugowski wrote.

Wrote Nancy Winholtz of Andover, about "Ice Castle of the Past": It used 750 marshmallows, 130 sugar wafers, 12 cones and assorted gummies. Num-nummy!

Wrote Nancy Winholtz of Andover, about "Ice Castle of the Past": It used 750 marshmallows, 130 sugar wafers, 12 cones and assorted gummies. Num-nummy!

Beatrice Bucholz of Woodbury: "This Ice Castle was made in December 2017 for a work contest. This ice castle took first place at my work contest. It took us about 1 week to construct. The castle, its columns, and trees are constructed out of ice cream cones and Rice Krispies bars. The whole castle is covered in Marshmallow Fluff and marshmallows. Royal Icing was used as 'glue' to for the edible gingerbread people and sprinkles."

Beatrice Bucholz of Woodbury: "This Ice Castle was made in December 2017 for a work contest. This ice castle took first place at my work contest. It took us about 1 week to construct. The castle, its columns, and trees are constructed out of ice cream cones and Rice Krispies bars. The whole castle is covered in Marshmallow Fluff and marshmallows. Royal Icing was used as 'glue' to for the edible gingerbread people and sprinkles."

From Kevin Hand of Farmington: Made 1,209 sugar cubes and powdered sugar mixed with water (maintaining the correct mixture a challenge). Rice dyed with food coloring for the snowflake decoration, with a Winter Carnival coin. I have a bit of inherited tremor (hands shake a little), so two qualities my Mother tried to teach me were essential. 1. "patience is a virtue" and 2. "haste makes waste." Steps go up the front, walk through path, with a slide out the back."

From Kevin Hand of Farmington: Made 1,209 sugar cubes and powdered sugar mixed with water (maintaining the correct mixture a challenge). Rice dyed with food coloring for the snowflake decoration, with a Winter Carnival coin. I have a bit of inherited tremor (hands shake a little), so two qualities my Mother tried to teach me were essential. 1. "patience is a virtue" and 2. "haste makes waste." Steps go up the front, walk through path, with a slide out the back."

From Adel Shevik of Marine on St. Croix: "As a child in the late 60's, our parents said if we were good at the Dentist we would get to see a Palace. I remember the stairs up and the slide out. Back when the world let us have our own fate."

From Adel Shevik of Marine on St. Croix: "As a child in the late 60's, our parents said if we were good at the Dentist we would get to see a Palace. I remember the stairs up and the slide out. Back when the world let us have our own fate."

Lisa Legge

They’re confectionary castles for the tiniest of Winter Carnival kings and queens.

To mark the St. Paul Winter Carnival and St. Paul’s lovely Rice Park ice palace, we unveiled our first-ever Cool Castle Contest. In the spirit of the annual Pioneer Press Peeps Diorama Contest, we asked you to build a palace or whatever structure you could dream up, using sugar cubes, marshmallows or other edibles. (Glue was certainly acceptable.)

More than 90 of you responded.

Entrants used sugar cubes, Marshmallow Fluff, icing, chocolate, doughnuts, candy canes, Twinkies, Rice Krispies bars, gum, nuts, ice cream cones, pretzels, cereal and coconut. Even a few veggies — broccoli, celery — for trees.

Submissions came from artisans, kids, school groups, an assisted living center and a rehab center.

FIRST PLACE: ANDREA WAMBOLD

Andrea Wambold's sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.
Andrea Wambold’s sugar-cube replica the first St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace of 1886. The Eagan crafter said a key to authentic-looking walls is using half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.

“It’s only fitting that the first Cool Castle Contest has a replica honoring the first Winter Carnival Ice Palace,” Wambold, of Eagan, wrote in her submission. She’s referring to the Winter Carnival creation of 1886, and she included a photo of it, noting that this original ice palace was one of the first buildings in St. Paul to have electric lighting.

This extremely patient artist described her process:

“My sugar cube castle was created using about 1,660 sugar cubes from two different makers. My construction tip: The key to authentic-looking walls is being able create half sugar cubes to achieve the staggered-block effect.” Her method of splitting the cubes is a “trade secret,” she says, in case she enters next year. (We hope she does.) Secret, too, is her method for backing the walls from the inside, to stabilize them but still allow light to show through.

Wambold guessed that she created the palace in 20 hours over 10 days. But she spent an additional six hours on one of her passions, photography — which can be key.

“So my kitchen was a construction zone and my dining room was a photo studio,” she said.

She said she kept a handheld vacuum handy as sugar cubes crumbled in the gluing process. And her kids kept her on the task when she wanted to give up, she said. She’s glad they did.

SECOND PLACE: SARAH FIFER AND VERONICA STARZINSKI

Sara Fifer and Veronic Starzinski, both of of St. Paul, made this piece, titled "St. Paul Suites Palace." The two used more than 2,500 sugar cubes over 23 hours to make their creation. (Courtesy of Fifer/Starzinski)
Sarah Fifer and Veronica Starzinski, both of St. Paul, made this piece, titled “St. Paul Suites Palace.” The two used more than 2,500 sugar cubes over 23 hours to make their creation. (Courtesy of Fifer/Starzinski)

For their piece, “St. Paul Suites Palace,” Fifer and Starzinski put in more 23 hours over three days. They used around 3,000 sugar cubes. “Then we bonded it together with vanilla frosting,” Starzinski said.

The entire thing is edible. Except you might not want to bite into the pile of cold, cooked angel hair pasta forming the hill. But the white M&Ms and white Kit Kats — delicious. You could even grab a cough drop from it in a pinch.

“We ate basically everything,” Starzinski said. “We laughed ourselves silly.”

Two special nods to winter are a loon, shaped from dough, and a toboggan of sculpted caramel. There is also a maze, a Graham cracker trail and a pretzel bridge.

The two creatives often do projects together. But for side gigs, Fifer upholsters and Starzinski restores vintage toys, selling new-and-improved Barbie dolls and My Little Ponies on eBay.

THIRD PLACE: MICHELLE LARSON AND JOANNA CAHN

Michelle Larson and Joanna Cahn, both of South St. Paul, made this replica Cathedral of St. Paul. They used sugar cubes and chocolate domes and cooked their own hard-candy "stained glass" for the windows.
Michelle Larson and Joanna Cahn, both of South St. Paul, made this replica Cathedral of St. Paul. They used sugar cubes and chocolate domes and cooked their own hard-candy “stained glass” for the windows.

This South St. Paul team worked some 30 hours to shape their replica Cathedral of St. Paul. They used sugar cubes, chocolate domes and cooked their own hard-candy “stained glass” for the windows.

“We were looking for an awesome, iconic St. Paul structure for the contest,” said Cahn, who credits Larson as the creative force behind the project, the “crafty” one.

“It has sugar cubes for the brick structure. The domes are made from chocolate; the roof is made of Wheat Chex. Even the cross on top is linguini,” Cahn said.

They used powdered sugar for snow and broccoli trees. They even lit the inside with remote-control lights to show off those stained-glass windows.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ROSARIA VALLES

Rosaria Valles2

Rosaria Valles
Rosaria Valles

Rosaria, who is turning 9 on Super Bowl Sunday, drew the most viewers’ votes with her sugar cube-and-candy cane castle with skating cheddar penguins. Rosaria, who had technical assistance from her GraGra and Papa Joe, also made liberal use of frosting and used pretzels and licorice for the drawbridge and cotton candy for Christmas trees.

“Cheddar penguins are skating on blue frosting ice … and gummy bears are watching,” she said.

“It was hard to stop decorating once we started!” Rosaria, who lives in North St. Paul, wrote in her submission.

The Eagle Point Elementary School third-grader said she didn’t eat any of the sweets during construction.

Copyright 2018 Pioneer Press.