Gingerbread Nativity Scene
Gingerbread Nativity Scene: Xmas 2011 |
Gingerbread Nativity Scene with Marzipan and Fondant Modelling |
Royal Icing buttresses up the planks and the buttress |
However, the size of the nativity stage was predicated upon our modelling of the figures and I figured that a Mexican-style Nativity scene would serve us very well, partly because their works are so colourful, and mainly because it is easier to create a naive/naif work than it is a professional one. Particularly if rolled fondant or gum-paste, and marvellous marzipan modelling comprise your base material; and especially so given the obvious constraint of the humid weather, which serves to soften the fondant and marzipan too.
We started modelling the figures, on the basis that it is easier to build a house with the figures already made. The bodies consist of a sausage made out of marvellous marzipan modelling paste and the heads are balls of the same. The hair was created by pressing the marzipan through a garlic press, bought especially for the purpose. The cloaks, which need to have a greater degree of stability, are made out of rolled fondant, which I have converted into a gum-paste, really, by means of judicious amounts of gum tragacanth, gum tex, dyocell, gum arabic, gum-paste or CMC - take your pick, they all do fundamentally the same thing.
White cloak with multi-coloured flowers, hearts and butterlies |
The boys and I spent the first evening colouring small bits of fondant and then using a variety of cutters to make the butterfly, flower and heart shapes, which we then pressed into the rolled out fondant, white in the case of Mary's cloak:
We used the gel paste to make Joseph's cloak brown, and then pressed in a variety of leaf shapes into his cloak.
For the gingerbread houses, I try to operate on the premiss that the kids must be involved; not easy if you are a bit of a perfectionist in the kitchen. That is why a naif scene is best for all concerned.
My daughter, Bethany, greatly impressed us all by undertaking to make both the cow and the little sheep (plus baby) all by herself, using the marzipan modelling paste.
Of course, as a good South African girl-child, she would make her cattle Nguni:
So there we have it, a nativity scene in the making:
But the best of all, is the eating thereof:
Have fun with your gingerbread houses this Xmas, and please do send me pictures of your efforts; I'd love to share them.
Joseph's cloak is brown, with leaves |
For the gingerbread houses, I try to operate on the premiss that the kids must be involved; not easy if you are a bit of a perfectionist in the kitchen. That is why a naif scene is best for all concerned.
My daughter, Bethany, greatly impressed us all by undertaking to make both the cow and the little sheep (plus baby) all by herself, using the marzipan modelling paste.
Marzipan sheep and lamb |
Of course, as a good South African girl-child, she would make her cattle Nguni:
Marzipan Nguni cow |
Do not forget the logs, made out of chocolate |
Yum! |
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