A sweet centrepiece
A note from the Test Kitchen: The centrepiece can be made two weeks in advance as long as you ensure the pieces are crisp and dry when baked so they don't warp. Any moisture will make the gingerbread soft and the project may fall apart.
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The figures are made with regular cookie cutters and simple piping, but you can also tint the icing and decorate with candies. There is enough dough and icing to make one large rectangular centrepiece that's perfect for the holiday table, plus a second smaller square box that's ideal for the mantel or side table -- or as a gift. With the little leftover dough, you can bake any shape of cookies you like.
Kits and cutters
Kits: Time is running out and you still want to construct a gingerbread house. Perhaps kits are the answer. They are available in most supermarkets and bulk food and craft stores. While most include gingerbread pieces, a royal icing mix and a small selection of candies, you'll want to buy extra candy for decorating and eating.
House brand kits are available in the $10 range. Classics from companies such as Robin Hood (in limited quantities) and Nafta Foods and Packaging Inc. range from $5 to $15. One of the largest manufacturers of gingerbread kits in North America, Nafta's bestselling kit is a child-friendly gingerbread house that comes with cookie pieces, a tube of icing and candies -- perfect for little hands to put together on their own. Another popular Nafta kit is the whimsical Whoville gingerbread house featuring the Grinch. This one is great for the whole family, with a lot of pieces to construct and decorate.
Cutters: Our gingerbread recipe is ideal for special seasonal cookie-cutter bake sets (available at kitchenware shops). The patterns include gingerbread house cutters for all parts; nativity set with cutters for the stable, wise men, holy family and three animals; cookie wreath set with holiday shape cutters; and tree set with graduated star cutters. All sets include the tin-plated steel cutters, cardboard bases, icing set (tips, couplers, bag), recipes and instructions.
