The first thing we think of when the days get shorter is curling up with a blanket, watching a Christmas film, and enjoying the smell of freshly baked, spiced gingerbread. In our eyes, no festive season is complete without a gingerbread person, or house… or even a gingerbread dog!
Decorating gingerbread is one of those Christmas traditions that brings everyone together. Whether it’s a quiet afternoon project with the kids, or a creative challenge for the whole family, gingerbread is the perfect way to add a personal touch to gift hampers, Christmas trees, or thank favours for your party guests.
Here are some ideas to spark inspiration:
Classic icing outfits
Use royal icing in small piping bags (or sandwich bags with the corner snipped off) to give your gingerbread people scarves, hats, faces and buttons. Keep it traditional in white or go all out with colourful gels.
Sweet accessories
Dig out the sweets from the cupboard! Smarties, candy canes, marshmallows, strawberry laces and chocolate buttons all make brilliant decorations.
Gingerbread houses
Nothing says Christmas like a gingerbread house. Go for a simple design with a snowy roof, or challenge yourself with intricate piping, sugar glass windows, and even little gingerbread pets in the garden.
Present toppers
Turn your gingerbread into gift tags. Thread them with ribbon and tie onto Christmas presents as edible tags.
Chocolate dips
Dip half your baked gingerbread in white, milk, or dark chocolate and sprinkle with your favourite dried fruit and nuts, crushed sweets or sprinkles.
Window biscuits
Cut a shape out of the centre of your biscuits and fill the gap with crushed sweets before baking and you’ll get a stained-glass effect. Hold them up to fairy lights on your tree to see them sparkle!
Gingerbread pets
Why stop at people? Cut out a dog, cat, rabbit…or dinosaur shapes and decorate them with collars, spots and funny expressions.
Adults-only twist
Try brushing gingerbread with a rum or brandy glaze or filling little sandwich biscuits with spiced buttercream. You could give your gingerbread sandwiches a reel cinnamon hit by adding a spoonful of Two Magpies Bakery cinnamon swirl butter to your filling.
Gingerbread faces
Pre-bake lots of plain gingerbread people, then set up a decorating station with bowls of sprinkles, icing tubes, and sweets. Kids can mix and match hairstyles, faces, and accessories.
Stencils and patterns
Grab your coffee art stencils and place them over your gingerbread before dusting with icing sugar for a quick stylish look.
Edible place settings or party favours
Pipe names into gingerbread stars, then place each table setting for Christmas dinner, they double as a decoration and a treat.
We love seeing your bakes, if you’ve been inspired by this blog post, tag us in your photos on social media and hashtag #MagpiesChristmas.