Recipes
Tried and true gingerbread dough, frosting & decoration recipes.Expert Tips
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 | | CONSTRUCTION/ASSEMBLY |
Can I decorate my pieces before assembling them?
The short answer is yes. Some people find it easier to lay their pieces flat to decorate first and then assemble their project. However, if using this method of decorating, avoid large or heavy pieces of candy (it will be harder for the walls to hold together as they're drying). Also, you have to plan out placement of windows, doors, etc. very carefully because you'll be placing them before the final structure is assembled and things like roof overhangs and wall seams can affect the eveness or symmetry of these decorations.
How to I avoid roof cave-ins?
Roof cave-ins are definitely avoidable! Follow these simple rules:
Use fresh frosting and use an ample amount on roof seams.
After roof has "set", finish off rooftop with frosing "dots" or other frosting designs to reinforce it.
If using lots of roof decorations, then let your project dry for a minimum of 1 hour before decorating the roof.
Avoid using overly heavy candy decorations on the roof.
If you must use heavy decorations, then support your walls with thick pretzel-rods before attaching the roof pieces.
Where can I purchase cardboard or other bases?
Square, rectangular, round, or oval cardboard bases can be purchased at cake decorating supply stores and some department/craft stores. Or you can make your own. Measure out the size base you need and cut from a cardboard box with an exacto knife.
Or be creative and use something unique for your base!
a cutting board, large cake stand, platter, piece of tile, or a scrap of wood covered with fabric or paper.
DECORATING
Are there any candies I should avoid using?
The only "candy hazards" are using too much or too heavy for your roof to support.
Otherwise, let your imagination guide you.
How long does royal frosting keep?
For assembling a gingerbread project, we think fresh frosting works best. But, the frosting keeps well up to a month in a sealed container in the fridge, and you can use saved frosting for decorating. You will have to add warm water a little bit at a time and re-mix to thin it out.
Is there any correct order to decorating?
In most cases, you want to decorate your building base before the roof. The 'yard" or landscape should go last. Fences should be the last decoration so they don't get knocked down while decorating other areas of the "yard".
How do I make the seams of my project look neat and "finished"?
Finished wall seams can give a great "professional" look to your building. Using a frosing bag with a tip, you can pipe dots, starts, flowers, shells, or any other frosting border along wall seams and roof top.
Otherwise, use candy to accomplish a great finished look. Small candies that can be "lined up" next to one another look great or candies that from straight lines like candy canes or cinnamon sticks can add colorful distinction at building corners and seams.
For applying tiny candies, tweezers work great!
Note: If kids are doing the decorating, don't worry about a finished look. Let them use their own creativity. Depending on the age, a candy cane stuck to the side of a gingerbread building can be as beautiful as one that is elaborately decorated.
How do I make "glass candy" windows?
Go to our recipe section for directions on glass candy.
Is there any way to preserve my gingerbread project?
Gingerbread projects can last a long time on their own if kept in a dry place, protected from moisture or humidity. You can put your project in a cardboard box, loosely wrapped in white tissue paper, and place it in a DRY closet or drawer and it can last until next year. The key word here is DRY. Moisture is gingerbread's greatest enemy. Just a couple of hours of humidity can collapse the walls of the strongest gingerbread building.
For stronger preservation, you can try a polyurethane spray, but then your project is obviously inedible and needs to be labeled that way.
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If you don't find your question, feel free to contact us and we'll do our absolute best to answer it! Send you question to justask@gingerbreadvillage.com
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