instructions
Lattice
Enchanting geometric lattice designs add the romance of a quaint little village to gingerbread creations. This interwoven motif adds striking definition to roofs, windows, fences and shutters.
Use a round decorating tip and outline shape to be covered. Starting at the center of outlined shape, pipe diagonal strings to the right, attached to outline. From the opposite side, pipe diagonal strings in the other directions, covering the areas.
Zigzags
Striking drama and great dimension can be added to gingerbread with the creative touches of zigzags. Just a simple back and forth motion can form beautiful drifts of snow on roofs, eaves, windowsills, and borders for doors.
Use a round or star decorating tip and hold bag at a 45° angle with tip lightly touching surface. As you squeeze out icing with a steady, even pressure, move hand in a tight side-to-side motion for a zigzag effect. To end, stop pressure and pull tip away.
Log Cabin Look
The down-home, warm, welcoming look of a log cabin can evoke fond memories of childhood holidays and simpler days of the past. This easy technique can transform gingerbread into a heirloom.
Use a round decorating tip, hold bag at a 45° angle and touch tip to surface. As you squeeze out icing with a steady, even pressure, move tip in vertical direction, laying out a log of icing. To end log, stop squeezing, touch tip to surface and pull away. Repeat process until entire surface is covered.
Icicles
Icicles capture the magical moment of snow falling and gracefully trailing down a winter cottage. Add this magical look effect to roof edges, windowsills and trees.
Use a round decorating tip and hold bag perpendicular to edge. With heavy to light pressure, pipe from top to bottom, easing pressure and drawing to a point.
Windowpanes
An architectural flair and welcoming appeal can be achieved by adding artistic windowpanes to a gingerbread house. Beautiful small paned windows, front bay windows and even cathedral windows can be made in a few easy steps.
Use a round decorating tip, hold bag at a 45° angle and touch tip to surface. Squeeze at starting point so that icing sticks to surface. To end outline, stop squeezing, touch tip to surface and pull away.
Sponge Icings
A walk through a winter wonderland has inspired the use of "sponge" icing. This creative icing technique can add the look of just-fallen snow look to any house setting.
To achieve this look, crumble a paper towel and dip into icing. Immediately dab area on house to be covered. Note: This icing will dry quickly so add a small amount at a time until reaching desired look.
Fences
A warm little refuge is nestled away, safe and sound, wrapped in the shelter of harboring fences. Pretzels, licorice twists, candy canes, marshmallows, wafer cookies and candy pebble stone are wonderful tools to use for fencing.
Place the desired amount of pretzel sticks side-by-side in a vertical position. Use icing in bag fitted with a round decorating tip to horizontally secure rails. Let completely set.
Pathways
Nothing says "welcome" more than a meandering path leading
to a gingerbread home. The message can be easily conveyed with mini gum pieces, licorice, candy wafers, mini candy discs, cinnamon candies, sprinkles and jelly candies.
Outline pathway with round tip. Attach dots of icing to back of mini gum pieces and position for "stones".
Fireplace
There’s nothing more inviting than friends and family gathered around the warmth of a holiday fire. These memory-filled fireplaces are so easy to create with gumdrops, caramels, jelly candies, mini chocolate candies and mini gum pieces, to name a few.
Outline fireplace/chimney area with a round decorating tip. Attach round jelly candies overlapping on surface with icing "mortar".
Roofs
If there’s no snow on the roof, you can create some excitement of your own. Just check out the cupboard and you’ll find endless topping possibilities at hand. Like what? How about vanilla wafers, striped gum, coconut, fruit slices, spearmint leaves, mini marshmallows, mini shredded wheat, pecan halves, cookies.
Use a round decorating tip and icing to attach candy wafers to roof beginning at bottom edge. Repeat process, alternating each row in a staggered, shingled look. (Note: You will have to cut end pieces on alternate rows.)
Shutters
Shutters can edge a window just as beautifully as a frame does a work of art. Choose sugar wafer cookies, striped
and solid gum pieces, graham crackers and gumdrops
for your masterpiece.
Outline window with a round decorating tip. Cut ends of sugar wafer cookies on a 45° angle and attach to window with icing.
Stained Glass Windows
The stunning beauty of stained glass reflects the peaceful solitude of the structure within. Create these symbols of peace and solace with gumdrops, jelly candies,
mini gum pieces and crushed hard candy pieces.
Outline window with a round decorating tip. Roll out gumdrop candies flat with rolling pin. Cut candies in assorted shapes and position in window with dots of icing.
Spatula Icing Roof
There’s no need to have a plain roof if you have a spatula on hand. Many different textures can be created by using a spatula to make a look of fallen snow, shingles and stucco.
Achieve the look of shingles by beginning at the bottom edge of the roof and moving the spatula in a wavy motion. Repeat process until entire roof is covered. You can also have an easy stucco look by repeatedly dabbing icing roof with spatula.
Lamposts
It’s a great idea to add interesting focal points away from the house. Lamp posts, sleds, children caroling and even festive trees of the season will draw attention to and create a unique personality for the home.
Insert a peppermint stick into bottom of a large marshmallow. Use a small round decorating tip to outline panes of glass and to pipe in top of lamp (smooth with finger dipped in cornstarch). Attach black gumball to top.
Chocolate Covered Pasta
Add definition and fun to gingerbread by "painting" melted candy on uncooked pasta, pretzel sticks, candy canes, gumballs and using them for accent pieces on the house.
Melt Light Cocoa Candy Melts®* according to package directions. Dip Decorator Brush in melted candy and “paint” uncooked pasta; let dry, turn over and “paint” other side.
Brushed Candy Melts®*
Use melted candy and brush to cover entire surfaces to enhance the look of the gingerbread house. Entire walls, windows, sugar cone trees and even the roof will take on a whole new appearance.
Melt desired Candy Melts®* according to package directions. Dip Decorator Brush in melted candy and “paint” surface; let dry.
*Brand confectionery coating.