GINGERBREAD FIREPLACE
One quantity basic Gingerbread dough
Royal icing
125g Toppers chocolate biscuits (use 4 from the packet)
300 mm diameter cardboard circle covered with foil
61g packet Smarties
4 Chocolate logs
Brown, red, green and yellow food colourings
Cornflour
200g packet fruit jubes
150g packet fruit Sparklers
Piping bag with No 3 nozzle
3 packets red Life Savers
100g mini liquorice all sorts
NB: Look at the picture of the fireplace and if you cant find the suggested sweets use what is available.
1. For the top: Cut off a piece of dough to make a oblong 19mm x 7mm, roll out to 5mm thickness.
Place on absorbent paper towel, microwave on 100% (high) power one to two minutes.
TAKE NOTE: Keep a constant eye on the microwave oven, interrupting cooking cycle every 30 seconds. Press down dough with a spoon or egg lifter for an even finish DO NOT OVERCOOK - due to high sugar content, biscuits can burn and become inedible if microwaved too long. Allow to cool completely overnight, biscuits will harden.
2. For the back: You follow the exact method for the top only the size is 17mm x 17mm and the microwave time is two to three minutes on 100% (high) power.
3. For the front: You need a 17mm x 17mm cut out 10mm x 13mm to make opening for the fireplace. Microwave on 100% (high) power one to two minutes.
4. For the sides: You need two 7mm x 7mm for the sides. Microwave on 100% (high) power, one to two minutes.
5. Oval rug: 15mm x 10mm. Microwave on 100% (high) power, two to three minutes.
6. Stockings: Cut out two stockings size 3mm x 5mm each, both stockings together microwave on 100% (high) power for 30 seconds.
ROYAL ICING
6 x 250ml (6 cups) icing sugar, sifted
3 extra large egg whites, lightly frothed
2.5ml (1/2 tsp) cream of tartar
Beat together all ingredients with electric beater, about six to eight minutes, or until thick and fluffy.
NOW FOR THE FUN PART OF PUTTING YOUR YULETIDE FIREPLACE TOGETHER
Step 1: Spread a layer of white royal icing over the mantel. Split chocolate biscuits, scrape off filling. Position biscuits on icing.
Step 2: Cover a cardboard circle big enough to position the fireplace on. Cover with foil. Draw a guideline on circle where sides and back of fireplace are to be positioned. (To cut a perfect circle, use the microwave turntable as a guide). Pipe a little royal icing on guideline marks. Position back and side of fireplace.
Step 3: Attach front piece by piping icing along edges, press together. Support pieces with a heavy object until hardened.
Step 4: Arrange chocolate logs inside fireplace.
Step 5: Colour 125ml (1/2 cup) icing chocolate brown
Step 6: Arrange sweets over front and sides of fireplace, as desired, secure with icing.
Step 7: Colour 250ml (1 cup) icing leaf green and 125ml (1/2 cup) bright red. With a No 3 nozzle, decorate rug, piping rows of green stars around outer edge of rug and filling centre with red stars. Set aside to dry.
Step 8: Make a flame cut-out from firm white paper, finger paint with red and yellow icing to resemble a fire.
Step 9: Finger paint with icing the stockings as desired. Dip your finger in cornflour and smooth the top. Allow to dry completely. Dilute a little red icing to paint around and on stocking. Use green icing, pipe holly leaves, dot centres with red icing for berries.
TO COMPLETE:
Position mantel on top of fireplace, back should be flush, so there is a slight overhang in front and on sides. Make three candleholders, using Life Savers. Vary the sizes cutting candles to fit each size. Position on top. Arrange holly leaves on top of mantel, secure with icing. Position stockings on mantel, secure with icing. Position the flame. Complete by placing the rug in front of the fire. Use a small basket or cover a small box and fill with remaining sweets.
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