Design a rooftop: Add texture to your roof with edible shingles. Anything from breakfast cereal to Necco wafers will work! Just remember to start at the bottom and layer the rows as you work your way to the top.

While the gingerbread is cooling, make the royal icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Mix on medium-low speed for 1 minute, until no lumps remain and mixture is shiny and glossy. Pipe icing along the top of all the walls, then place one side of the roof on top. Place something underneath the bottom ridge to support it. Pipe icing along the top ridge, then place the other roof panel on top, again supporting it underneath. Leave to set completely before removing the supports. Decorate: Once the gingerbread house is assembled and stable, use royal icing to attach candies, frosting, and any other decorations to your heart’s content. Get creative with your design!Plus, these handmade locomotives’ lead cars and wagons offer little, whimsical hiding spots for small presents. They will likely make the holidays extra special and magical. Make the gingerbread (you will need to make this in two batches – so halve the ingredients and follow the method twice). In a large pan over a low–medium heat, melt together the butter, sugar, syrups, treacle and stem ginger until smooth and combined. Position your template patterns at least 1/2 in. apart on the dough as shown. Cut around patterns with a sharp knife or pizza cutter; remove patterns. Feel free to cut out a door or windows into the panels. Remove dough scraps; cover and save to re-roll if needed. Decorating with icing: Use your icing to outline windows, doors and decorative elements. Adding extra icing to the seams provides a good base for adding candy. The icing also works well for adding snow to the roof or the yard (just use some water to thin it out!) Assemble the House: Begin by assembling the walls of the gingerbread house. Use royal icing as glue to attach the pieces together, holding them in place until they set. Repeat this process for the roof and any other decorative elements.

Here’s an easy-to-use template for your gingerbread house. Using this guide, pull out your ruler and some paper or cardboard to transfer the measurements. Trim each template piece with scissors or a utility knife and set aside. Your Complete Guide to Making a Gingerbread House Sandwich together 3 x log carriage, making sure you only ice the middle of the biscuits or the icing will spill out over the edges. Leave to set then attach 6 x wheels as before.

Christmas Train Supplies

Pro tip: Allow your gingerbread pieces to dry out to room temperature for a few days to ensure extra stability during construction. Assembling the House Ingredients & Tools Are you ready to get started on your next crochet train toy project? This curated selection of crochet train toy patterns will inspire you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, there’s a pattern that’s just right for you. And don’t be afraid to try something new or experiment with different yarns and colors – that’s what makes each toy unique and special. But kids love them. Even for grown-ups, as long as you're not aiming for perfection, these kits can be a fun yet therapeutic way to spend a winter's afternoon.

Crochet trains are a delightful way to bring some handmade charm and fun to your home, especially to your child’s room. Once the train has set, sandwich together 5 x engine with icing and place in the front of the train. Finally, attach the wheels. Pipe icing on the top third of 3 x wheels and fix along the train so 1/4 of the wheels hang below the train. Leave to set before turning over and attaching 3 x wheels to the other side of the train. Transfer ¼ of the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. This will be the icing to decorate the outside of the train. First things first, hit play on your favorite holiday playlist and whip up a cup of hot chocolate. Here are our favorite cocoa recipes for the holidays! Step 2: Combine Ingredients

Marshmallow Snowmen

My kids love making gingerbread houses at Christmas time. It’s a fun tradition, but let me tell you, making a gingerbread house from homemade gingerbread is a labor of love. You gotta mix the gingerbread, and bake the gingerbread, and cut the gingerbread, and let it cool, then make the royal icing and assemble the houses and let them set up and THEN start decorating. It’s a great Christmas tradition IF you have plenty of time and kids that are old enough to actually help (10+). Regardless of the recipient—you’re making it for a child or just for yourself, adding your own personal touches can make it even more special. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, all the spices and the salt. Pour the melted mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix to form a stiff dough. Wrap in cling film and set aside. (Repeat for the second batch of dough.) The three finished supermarket gingerbread houses. Asda's sadly collapsed as we tried to move it (Image: Emily Collis/BirminghamLive) Lay the Template: Place the printed template pieces on the rolled-out gingerbread dough. Use a sharp knife or a gingerbread house cutter to cut around the template shapes. Remember to cut out all the necessary pieces, including walls, roof, and any decorative elements.