Gingerbread Art

We spend a lot of time in our homes in winter.  Christmas is the highlight of these dark nights.  I often have the fondest memories of the atmosphere created in the home or a memorable meal.  By decorating and entertaining you can make wonderful memories.  Make some memories with children by creating these gingerbread art ornaments.  They look great on a tree, a present, or a wreath. 

Gingerbread Art

Dough ingredients:

6 3/4 cups of bread flour
1 TB ground cinnamon
2 TSP ground ginger
1/2 TSP salt
1 1/2 cups dark corn syrup
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup margarine

Place all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside.  On medium heat, combine margarine and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan, melt together with brown sugar.  Add warm liquid to dry ingredients mix well.  If dough is too loose, add flour.  If it's too stiff, add water until the desired consistency is achieved (like play dough).  The dough should be firm and elastic.  Remove dough from the mixer and wrap in plastic, to keep from drying out.  Roll to the desired thickness (about 1/4") on the desired work space.  Place rolled dough on a cookie sheet and place in the refrigerator.  This will allow the dough to stiffen and not stretch when cut out.  After cutting the pattern, bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees  for 10-15 minutes or until edges turn light brown.  (About 12 minutes works for me.)  Also, don't forget to put a hole in the top of the ornament.  I use a straw to punch out just the right size hole to hang them by.  
Important:  Let the gingerbread dry out for several days before you begin assembly.


I painted the eyes, hair, mouth, and buttons with bright white shiny dimensional fabric paint.  First, I dust all traces of flour off the cookie and the paint sticks really well.  Storage method would depend on the success of keeping them. 


Another choice for decorating them would be Royal Icing.


Royal Icing:

This will also harden to a bright white color and stay that way.


Ingredients:

 3 TB meringue powder
4 cups powdered sugar
6 TB water


Mix ingredients at low speed for 7-10 minutes.  After mixing, keep the bowl covered with a damp towel to avoid drying out.