WHAT YOU WILL NEED
ruler; linear measurements are all in inches, toothpicks
Paper for patterns
Corrugated cardboard, carbon paper
Masking tape, household glue
Colored cellophane or plastic wrap
6cardboard tubes, 11 X 1 1/2 (rolls of papertowels are perfect)
2packages (24-oz size sugar tablets
1package (8 oz) colored gum strips
Red and green colored sugar
1package (16 oz) sugar cubes
Colored paper, for flags
1package (4 oz) sugar cones
flour; rolling pin; 1/2-teaspoon-size round measuring spoon
pastry bag, adapter, star tip, writing tip
2recipes Gingerbread Dough (below)
3recipes Snow Frosting (below)
See gingerbread and frosting recipes below for ingredients and equipment needed before preparing your shopping list
1. Make 2 recipes Gingerbread Dough: Refrigerate until dough is manageable - several hrs or overnight
2. Make paper patterns:
First rectangle 5 X 12 Label "Courtyard Wall"
2nd rectangle 6 1/2 X 7 1/2 Label "Level 1"
3rd rectangle 4 1/2 X 5 1/2 Label "Level 2"
4th rectangle 4 X 4 Label "Level 3"
5th rectangle 4 X 3 Label "Level 4"
On Level 1, label one 7 1/2-inch side "top" Repeat on a 5 1/2-inch side for Level 2, a 4-inch side for Level 3, and a 3-inch side for Level 4
3. More paper patterns:
6th rectangle 4 1/2 X 2 1/2 Label "Door" Fold in half lengthwise Round off cut edges at one end to form archway and door
7th rectangle 1 1/4 X 2 Label "Window" Fold in half lengthwise Round off edges at one end to make window
Center Door pattern at bottom edge of Courtyard Wall pattern. Trace, but DON'T cut out.
Center Window pattern on Level 2 and Level 3 patterns Trace, but DON'T cut out
4. Front archway decoration: Make an 8th rectangle 4 X 7 1/4 Fold in half lengthwise; label one end "top" Measure a point 1 1/2inches down from top Draw a crosswise line; label "A"
Measure a 2nd point 2 1/4inches down from top Draw a crosswise line; label "B"
Measure 1/2inch in from lengthwise cut edges Draw a lengthwise line; label "C"
Repeat 1inch in from cut edges; label "D"
Draw connecting lines from the intersection of A and C to the intersectn of B and D
Draw connecting lines from the intersection of A and C to the intersectn of B and the cut edge
Draw connecting lines from the top folded corner to the intersectn of B and D
Trim off top to form gables
Open pattern; center Door pattern at bottom edge of pattern. Trace, and cut out. Label "Front Decoratn"
5. Window decorations: Make 8th rectangle 2 3/4 X 4 1/2inches. Fold in half lenghwise; label one end "top"
Measure a point 1inch down from top Draw a crosswise line; label "A"
Measure a second point 2inches down from top Draw another crosswise line; label "B"
Measure 3/8inch in from lengthwise cut edges; draw a lengthwise line; label "C"
Measure 3/4inch in from cut edges; draw a lengthwise line; label "D"
Draw connecting lines from the intersection of A and C to the intersection of B and D;
from the intersection of A and C to the intersection of B and the cut edge;
and from the top folded corner to the intersectn of B and D
Cut along diagonal lines to form gables
Open pattern. Center Window pattern 1/2inch from bottom edge of pattern Trace, and cut out. Label "Window Decoration"
6. Drawbridge: Make 9th rectangle 3 X 4 1/2 Fold in half lengthwise
Measure a point 1/2inch in from one of the cut corners.
Draw a line from the point to the opposite cut corner. Trim off to make a piece 3inches on one end and 2inches on the other.
Open, and label "Drawbridge"
7. Cardboard pieces: Trace patterns for courtyard wall and Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4, 4times each; cut out
Using carbon paper and paper patterns for Levels 2 and 3, trace window on one Level 2 piece and one Level 3 piece
Using Courtyard Wall pattern, trace door on one Courtyard Wall piece; cut out
Make a 12-inch square, a 7 1/2-inch square, a 5 1/2-inch square, a 4-inch square and a 3-inch square (that's 5squares) of cardboard. Don't discard patterns
8. Assemble cardboard frame: Lay Courtyard Wall pieces beside each other on a flat surface. Tape together securely. Set up to form wall
Tape remaining edge. Tape all the way around wall, using one piece of tape. Turn upside down. Apply glue on edges Place 12-inch square on glued surface for courtyard floor; tape securely. Invert, and set aside to dry
9. Lay Level 1 cardboard pieces on a flat surface with sides touching. Tape together securely
Set up to form a box. Tape remaining edge; tape all the way around wall, using one piece of tape. Apply glue to top edges. Set 7 1/2-inch cardboard square in place, to form roof. Tape securely; set aside to dry
Repeat with remaining levels, being sure when gluing the appropriate size square to the sides that the rounded top of the front window is up
Cut 2 2 1/2 X 2-inch rectangles of cellophane or plastic wrap. Place over window holes, and tape securely
If you plan to light the inside of your castle, see note on lighting
10. Several hrs later or next day: GB now refers to gingerbread
Preheat oven to 350F Remove one recipe of gingerbread (GB) from refrigerator Place 1/3 of GB dough on greased cookie sheet
With lightly floured rolling pin, roll out to 1/8inch thickness
Arrange Courtyard Wall pattern, Level 2 and Level 3 patterns on GB, leaving at least 1/2inch between pieces. Cut around each with a sharp knite Lift off dough trimmings, and save.
Score Door and Windows by pushing point of knife thru pattern at several places Remove patterns; cut out and remove GB Windows. Cut out and carefully remove GB Door to open place on the cookie sheet
Using 1/2-teaspoon-size round measuring spoon, or other small spoon, score all GB pieces, except Door, to look like stone be careful not to press spoon all the way thru dough
11. Bake cutouts 8-10minutes, or until edges just start to brown
Cool 3minutes on cookie sheet. While still warm, place pattern on gingerbread; trim areas that have expanded more than 1/8inch beyond pattern
Remove GB to wire rack; cool
12. Repeat until
3more Courtyard Wall pieces (do not cut out doors),
4 Level 1 pieces,
3more Level 2 and Level 3pieces (do not cut out windows,
4 Level 4pieces,
one Drawbridge,
one Front Decoration
and 2Window Decorations have been baked
Score all pieces except Front Decoration and Window Decorations before baking. If necessary, knead together GB trimmings, and reroll
13. Assemble GB castle:
Trim 2cardboard tubes to 8inches, and 2more to 10 1/4inches.
Tape the 10 1/4inch tubes securely to the back corners of the Courtyard Walls and the 8-inch tubes to the front corners
Make one recipe Snow Frosting
Spread outside of front cardboard piece of Courtyard Wall with frosting. Press GB front in place; hold until it sticks. Repeat with remainng 3pieces.
Spread one cardboard tube with frosting about 1/8inch thick
Starting at the bottom, arrange a row of sugar tablets to completely cover tube not hidden by gingerbread. Press tightly into place.
Cut a sugar tablet in half lengthwise. Place a second row of tablets on tower starting with the half tablet, so that cut edges will be above the center of the tablet below, brick fashion. Continue until the whole tube is covered
Above the level of the Courtyard Wall, tube should be covered with sugar tablets on all sides
Repeat to cover remaining tubes. Set side to dry
14. Trim 2 remaining tubes to measure 7inches
Split tubes lengthwise; overlap edges until diameter of tube is 1inch. Tape securely together
Tape in place at front edges of Level 2 cardboard frame
Apply GB to Level 2, and "brick" towers as above. Set aside to dry
15. Make another recipe of Snow Frosting. Cover Levels 1, 3, and 4 with GB as before
Spread back of Window and Front Decorations with some frosting. Press into place on Levels 2 and 3 and on front Courtyard Wall. Hold each until well adhered.
Place Level 1 with GB surface up. Spreaad a little frosting on back of GB door. Press in place 1/2 inch from lower center of GB surface
Frost door smoothly. Frost rounded side of green gum strip; place below door for step
Using a moist knife, make 1/8-inch slices from one red and one green gum strip. Arrange 3 red and 3green strips, petal fashion, alternating colors, on top of door to make a "stained-glass" window
Press into frosting with moistened fingertip. Set aside to dry
16. Slice 2more red and 2more green gum strips. Repeat stained-glass-window design, centered on front of Level 4
Place 2red and one green slice, as pictured, on the Front Decoration. Using 2green and one red slice, repeat design on one window Decoration
Frost back, and press into place around Level 3 window. Frost back of remaining Window decoration. Press into place around Level 2 window
Trim one green gum strip to form window box at Level 2 window. Frost into place
Put a dot of frosting on bottoms of 3red end slices. Set into place on top of window box, for flowers
Frost center back of Drawbridge, and set into place
17. Place frosting in pastry bag with adapter and star tip. Pipe border at corners of each level
Sprinkle Levels 1 and 3 with red sugar, and Levels 2 and 4 with green sugar
Change to number-4 writing tip. Pipe a row of dots around edge of Drawbridge, door frame of Front Decoration and door and window openings
Pipe a border around all gum decorations except flower box
Frost inside and floor of courtyard
Set Level 1 into courtyard 1/2inch from back wall and with door in line with front archway
18. Make a third recipe of Snow Frosting. Frost top of Level 1
Place Level 2 on top, with back edge in line with back edge of Level 1 and equal space on each side
Repeat with remaining levels
Frost top of Level 4. Make a ring of sugar cubes 1 3/4inches in diameter in center of top
19. Place some frosting in a pastry bag with star tip. Pipe a row of stars along top of Courtyard Wall and at top edge of each level. Arrange sugar cubes 1/2inch apart in frosting border
20. For the flags: Cut a rectangle of solid color or striped paper, 8 X 2inches. Fold in half lengthwise
Cut out 7flags, 1/2inch wide at the folded side, tapering to a point at the cut edge
Break 4toothpicks in half. Glue broken edge into the fold of the paper flag. Glue the 2sides of the flag together. Set aside to dry
21. To set the flags:With star tip, pipe a frosting border on top of all the towers. Set an ice-cream cone into each piped border. Pipe a star of frosting on the top of each cone. Place flags in frosting, holding until they seem secure. Pipe a ring of frosting stars on top of the sugar-cube ring on Level 4; set a cone into it. Pipe 4rows of stars, diagonally from the border to the point of the cone, as pictured. Pipe a dot of frosting on top, and place flag in frosting.
22. For the birds: Change to writing tip, and pipe 2birds on top of Level 2 widdow Decoration, nd one on a sugar cbe on top of Lvel 3. to pipe birds, start a let side of perch, and squeeze a 3/8-inch-wide dot of frosting; taper toward right, and end in a point for tail. Pipe on 2wings and head. Using a toothick, nsert a gingerbread crumb in place for the eye. Let dry thoroughly
To light inside: Make a small hole in the courtyard floor and larger holes in the roof of Level 1 and Level 2 before 2nd session. When castle is completed and thoroughly dry, insert cord with small light, if desired. As with any electrical appliances of this sort, follow all safety precautions
Snow Frosting:
3egg whites; 1pkg (1 lb) confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Place egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in large bowl With mixer at medium speed, beat 7-10minutes, or until the mixture is very stiff Cover bowl with damp cloth Do not keep leftover frosting Makes about 2cups
Gingerbread Dough:
4cups sifted all-purpose flour (sifted before measuring); 2tablespoons sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1cup light molasses; 1/2cup butter or margarine; 1/4cup milk
In large bowl, combine flour with all dry ingredients: sugar, ginger, baking powder, soda and salt.
In small saucepan, heat molasses with butter just until mixture boils. Stir in milk
Add molasses mixture to flour mixture; with wooden spoon, stir until smooth
Wrap gingerbread dough in foil or plastic film Refrigerate overnight
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"This delicious fairy-tale castle is so simple to make that even the youngest in the family can help. The walls, doorways and drawbridge, of course, are gingerbread. Sugar lumps form the cylindrical towers (with papertowel rolls at the core), topped by sugar cones. Gumdrops make the stained-glass windows. "Snow frosting" - a mixture of egg whites, confectioners' sugar and cream of tartar - is used for additional decoration and serves as "glue" on all edible portions of the castle, making it safe for the child who simply can't resist a bite.
