Red Candy Doors For Gingerbread Houses

A red door means “welcome” in an old early American tradition. Weary travelers by horse and buggy would know that a home with a red front door was a welcoming place to rest. A red candy door on a gingerbread house carries on this friendly tradition!

Red candy doors are another fun confection to custom make for gingerbread houses. They are easy to make!

*Make ahead – the red royal icing needs plenty of time for drying(a day before and up to a couple of weeks before the gingerbread house decorating.)

Ingredients:

• Hershey® candy bars
• One recipe of Royal icing tinted with AmeriColor® Super Red
• Candy Wreaths

Special Equipment and Supplies:

• Kitchen Aid Electric Stand Mixer
• Dough Cutter
• Metal Spatula
• Wire Cooling Racks
• Wax Paper

Directions for Red Candy Doors:

1. Make 1 recipe of Royal icing. Combine the ingredients for a couple of minutes. The consistency should be a pourable consistency, similar to a thick syrup. Tint it with Super Red food coloring. Pour into a wide-rimmed bowl.
2. Carefully break Hershey® candy bars into four pieces.
3. With a dough cutter, carefully trim about 3/4″ off each end of the candy bar pieces.
4. Dip candy bar pieces in the icing. Place on wire racks set over wax paper to catch the drips.
5. Carefully place the candy wreaths on the doors.
6. Set aside to dry overnight. When the doors are dry, gently lift away from the wire rack with a metal spatula.