Snow Capped Gingerbread Trains Recipes

GINGERBREAD TRAIN BUFFET RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the gingerbread: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, molasses, water, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Melt over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, 1-2 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the butter until completely melted and the mixture is glossy. Let cool completely.
• Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to combine for 30 seconds. Pour in the wet ingredients and mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• While the dough is chilling, make your templates for the train pieces. The gingerbread will fit snugly over your mechanical train. Find template here: https://tasty.co/article/tasty/gingerbread-train-template
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ⅛ inch thick. Cut out the shapes from the template. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 24-28 minutes, until the shapes are stiff to the touch. Let the shapes cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• While the gingerbread is cooling, make the royal icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Mix on medium-low speed for 1 minute, until no lumps remain and mixture is shiny and glossy.
• Transfer ¼ of the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. This will be the icing to decorate the outside of the train.
• Add the brown food coloring to the remaining icing in the mixer and mix until homogenous in color.
• Using the brown icing, assemble the train pieces according to the template. Let dry for at least 2 hours.
• Once all 5 pieces of the train have dried, use the white icing to decorate the train as desired. Let the icing set until hardened.
• Gently slide decorated gingerbread pieces over the cars of the mechanical train and place on the track.
• Fill the cargo cars with the gum drops, peppermints, and truffles.
• Enjoy!

GINGERBREAD SNOWFLAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and water. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll out to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , Bake at 350° until edges are firm, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool., In a small bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a tip; pipe frosting onto cookies in desired designs.