Adorable Gingerbread Projects
Looking for a fresh spin on the classic gingerbread house? Check out these festive projects to make with the kids.
By Beth Kimmerle
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Kate Cunningham
Gingerbread Barn
Dressing up a typical gingerbread house as a classic country barn can be a new holiday project for everyone to enjoy. From start to finish the project will take three to four hours, so spread it over a few days and take your time. The results are worth it as this Gingerbread Barn makes an enchanting centerpiece for a party or a wonderful handmade gift.
The next slides show step-by-step tips on how to make the Gingerbread Barn, plus two other adorable gingerbread projects.
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Zach Johnston
Making the Gingerbread
Start by making your favorite gingerbread dough according to instructions, or try our delicious gingerbread recipe below. While chilling and before rolling the dough, cut out barn patterns from sturdy cardboard.
Click on the link below to get full instructions and a downloadable Gingerbread Barn pattern. The next slide will demonstrate how to roll out the dough for the barn.
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Zach Johnston
Rolling the Dough
Roll out one-third of the dough 1/4 inch thick on a surface dusted lightly with flour. Place cardboard patterns for barn front and two sides on rolled dough. The next slide will show you how to cut out the front of the barn.
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Zach Johnston
Cutting the Pattern
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut around patterns. Remove excess dough and reserve with remaining dough for rolling the other barn pieces.
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Zach Johnston
Adding Barn Siding
Using kitchen scissors, cut sour tape into strips to create vertical barn siding. Using the icing like glue, carefully apply siding to barn sides. Using royal icing, apply doors to front and sides, adding zigzag barn pattern to doors.
For more tips on decorating the outside of the barn or to see a royal icing recipe, click on the links below. The next slide will show you how to adhere the sides of the barn to the base.
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Zach Johnston
Constructing the Barn
To join the barn sides to back and front pieces, pipe icing cleanly along edges to be joined. Press barn pieces together and hold for several minutes. Once the four walls are firmly together on the gingerbread base, adhere them to the cardboard base with frosting. Then insert your two cardboard cutouts into center of barn. Secure them with icing to the sides of barn. Let dry completely, preferably overnight.
For complete instructions and pattern, click on the link below. The next slides will demonstrate how to make a gingerbread gift box.
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Zach Johnston
Gingerbread Gift Boxes
These Gingerbread Boxes are a great new twist on classic gingerbread. Fill with candy or cookies for a thoughtful homemade gift for a friend or teacher. The next slides will show instructions on how to make two Gingerbread Gift Boxes.
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Zach Johnston
Making the Gingerbread Boxes
Make your favorite gingerbread recipe according to instructions, or try our delicious gingerbread dough below. Before rolling out dough, cut out cardboard box patterns from sturdy cardboard. Roll out approximately one-fourth of the dough 1/4 inch thick on a surface dusted lightly with flour. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut out two 5x5-inch squares and four 2.5x5-inch rectangles of dough. Remove extra dough; reserve with remaining dough for rolling other boxes.
For detailed instructions on how to make the Gingerbread Boxes, click on the link below. The next slide will list what you need to decorate the outside of the finished box.
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Zach Johnston
Decorating the Gingerbread Boxes
To decorate the outside of the Gingerbread Boxes, you will need:
* Red and green Skittles (about eight 16-ounce packages)
* One package Hubba Bubba Gummi Tape in Shocking Strawberry
* One batch of royal icingTo get full instructions on making the Gingerbread Boxes, click on the link below. The next slide will show you how to create the mosaic pattern on the outside of the boxes.
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Zach Johnston
Creating the Mosaic Pattern
Using red and green Skittles for box sides and top, create a mosaic pattern as shown in the image.
For complete instructions, including how to assemble the box, click on the link below. The next slides will demonstrate how to make a festive Gingerbread Wreath.
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Zach Johnston
Gingerbread Wreath
This Gingerbread Wreath makes a fabulous centerpiece. Try hanging it on a wall for a stunning and tasty holiday decoration. The next four slides will show you how to create the wreath.
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Zach Johnston
Rolling the Dough
Make your favorite gingerbread recipe according to instructions, or try our delicious gingerbread dough below. Working on a parchment-covered cookie sheet, roll about half of the dough.
For complete step-by-step instructions on how to create the Gingerbread Wreath, click on the link below. The next slide demonstrates how to create the wreath shape with the dough.
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Zach Johnston
Shaping the Dough
Hand-mold the dough into a wreath shape, approximately 1/2 inch thick and 10 inches in diameter, as shown here.
The next slide shows how to create the wreath shape.
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Zach Johnston
Creating the Wreath Shape
Carefully flatten out your dough. Don't worry about making it a perfect circle -- little imperfections add to the charm of the wreath.
For complete baking and decorating instructions and ingredients, go to the link below. The next slide shows how to decorate the Gingerbread Wreath.
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Zach Johnston
Decorating the Wreath
While the Gingerbread Wreath is baking, tie a large bow using approximately ten to twelve inches of Gummi Tape and set aside. Then cut green Life Savers gummi candies in half using your kitchen scissors. Remove wreath from oven and carefully place on a wire rack to cool. While wreath is still warm, start to decorate with the green gummi halves (see photo) and place premade Gummi Tape bow onto the top of wreath. Secure in place with royal icing (see below for recipe). Be careful not to touch any of the candy pieces as they may become hot. Allow decorated wreath to cool completely on the wire rack before using or eating, preferably overnight.
For step-by-step instructions on baking and decorating the Gingerbread Wreath, click on the link below.
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Zach Johnston
Gingerbread Designs by Beth Kimmerle
The projects in this slideshow were created and designed by Beth Kimmerle. Beth is a chocolate and candy expert and historian and is the author of four books documenting the history of America's confectionery industry.
Copyright © 2009 Meredith Corporation.
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