This year marked my seventh (non-consecutive) year creating gingerbread for Sweet Creations at the Eastman Museum. I designed this piece with Irish architecture in mind, so I think of it as an Irish cottage. Since a snowy Christmas isn’t typical in Ireland, I chose not to label it as such for the museum display—but the inspiration is there in every detail.

The auction to benefit the museum is online. Go here to see all of the creations and to place a bid.

Gingerbread Recipe: I used this recipe.

Royal Icing Recipe: I love using this recipe which uses Meringue Powder. It hardens fast and in works very well.

Templates: As usual, it takes me trial and error to make templates, but I got it done. My numerous sheep cookie cutters were not the right size so I made my own templates.

HOUSE

Walls: Covered gingerbread with Royal Icing and white jelly beans

Windows: Black Fondant

Candles in Windows: Wilton Icicles with food coloring flame, holly and berry sprinkles

Door:  Green Royal Icing (I went back and forth on making a red or green door.)

Doorknob: Chocolate sprinkle

Roof: Brown Royal Icing with large Shredded Wheat biscuit

Chimney: Homemade Rice Krispy Treats covered with Royal Icing

LANDSCAPING

Bench: Wafer cookie and Royal Icing

Front Pathway: Green Sweet Tarts

Bushes Near Rock Wall: Spearmint leaves

Rock Wall: Rice Krispy Treats covered with Royal Icing and candy rocks

Holly Bushes: Ice cream cones with top cut off then put inside the bottom, covered with green Royal Icing, rolled in holly sprinkles

Wreaths:  Royal Icing dyed green, using plastic sandwich bag, cut off small piece of corner, piped on parchment with small circle motion, small red round decorations

Fence: Pretzel sticks attached with Royal Icing

Sheep: Grey and White flooded Royal Icing, white decorating balls, food coloring marker

Snow: Royal Icing

RIVER

Water: Blue Royal Icing, Blue Sprinkles

River’s Edge: Candy rocks