The Snow Queen's Palace

Illustrating Hans Christian Andersen's well-loved story The Snow Queen, this gingerbread scene is a magical, festive centrepiece to behold.

Click here for enlarged image of the Snow Queen's Palace

You need:
• Mirror or tray for base
• Boy and girl cutters
• Tree and berry bush cutters
• Reindeer cutters
• Snowflake, star or other festive shaped cutters (for windows)
• Play clay
• Lasagna box with lasagna

The Snow Queen's Palace
• Gingerbread Dough
• Royal Icing
• Assorted clear, white or coloured candies
• Coarse white sugar and white sprinkles
• Tiny and medium-size silver dragées and mixedcoloured dragées
• Rock crystal candy pops (optional)
• Sugar cubes

To make:
1. On paper, draw grid of horizontal and vertical lines 2.5 cm (1 in) apart. Each square on pattern grid equals a 2.5 cm square on paper. Draw each pattern line onto corresponding square on paper. Cut out patterns. Remember: Cut two towers and reverse one.

Click here to download a printable pdf of the palace pattern.

2. Between 20-inch (50 cm) lengths of parchment paper, roll out 1 rectangle of dough to 15- x 10-inch (38 x 25 cm) rectangle, a scant œ inch (5 mm) thick, trimming as necessary. Slide paper and dough onto rimless baking sheet; refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

3. Place palace centre pattern over paper on rectangle; with tip of small knife, cut out palace centre. Remove pattern and parchment paper. Using 3-inch (8 cm) snowflake cutter, cut out window; set scraps aside. Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven until slightly darker at edges and firm to the touch, about 25 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack.

4. Meanwhile, repeat rolling out with second piece of dough, cutting out 2 towers, reversing 1 as directed. Repeat with third piece of dough, cutting gate and 2 tower supports, reversing 1 as directed. Using 1?-inch (4 cm) snowflake cutter, cut out windows in palace and gate; set scraps aside. Bake as for first piece of dough.

5. Meanwhile, press scraps together and reroll to scant œ-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using pattern pieces, cookie cutters or by hand, cut out sleigh, Gerda, Kay, trees, reindeer, berry bush, snowdrifts and snowflakes as desired. Bake pieces, as above, until firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Let cool as for palace pieces.

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