Have a gingerbread house party!

To make
1. Dip one Popsicle stick into Royal Icing and coat bottom of base so it sticks to paper plate.

2. Coat bottom and side edges of front piece and one side piece with icing; join together and stick onto base.

3. Repeat with back and remaining side piece. Let dry completely, about 20 minutes. (This is a good time for a refreshment break or outside play!)

4. Coat top edges of walls with icing and attach one roof piece. Coat top edge of roof; attach remaining roof piece and let dry, about 10 minutes.

5. Decorate with candies, attaching each with dab of Royal Icing.

Decorating tips and tricks
For various colours
Tint Royal Icing with food colouring. Paste colours, available at cake-decorating stores, produce the most vivid colours.

To paint with Royal Icing Paint
Thin a little icing, tinted to desired shade, with a few drops of water until consistency of heavy cream. Use small watercolour brush to paint onto gingerbread.

To make shingles
Pipe interlocking scallops of icing onto roof pieces.

To simulate brickwork
Pipe small rectangles of icing onto wall pieces

To finish edges
Pipe scallops or rosettes of icing along house seams.

To make wreaths
Pipe circle of icing on door or wall. Pipe connecting rosettes of contrasting colour over circle. Let dry. Pipe dots of red icing and bow onto wreath.

To make icicles
Dribble small lines of white icing from eaves of roof.

To make lamppost
Cut black licorice twists for post; insert toothpick or bamboo skewer for support. Using icing, stick bubble-gum ball on top; let dry.

To make driveway
Brush thinned icing over driveway area; sprinkle with coloured sugar.

Making gingerbread houses isn't just for kids! Enlarge our pattern pieces to make a family-size house - then gather everyone together for an afternoon of pre-Christmas fun.