Looking Tasty
Internal structural support systems made out of non-edible materials are encouraged, especially in larger structures. Please just make sure any structural supports are covered and the structure looks entirely edible from the outside. All sides of your gingerbread structure will be visible, so please keep this in mind and make sure all areas are designed including landscaping around your structure and the rest of the top of the base.
Buildings should be primarily constructed from gingerbread, with edible detailing made from sweets, edible ingredients and icing (please do not use nuts for allergy reasons). Landscapes can be made mostly of candy and there are many ways of making trees, rock-scapes, and lakes. Melted hard candy can make good windows and water features – just crush them up and bake them with the gingerbread to seal them in and make sure they are not too thin so that they don’t melt away with time. Add the crushed boiled sweets towards the end of the bake and check regularly to ensure they don’t burn. Isomalt also makes good window and water features, just please use necessary precautions such as safety gloves as this can get very hot and scald you (do not let children work with isomalt). We advise not to use any ingredients that might go mouldy or break down fast, such as jello, chocolate or cotton candy. Do not stack gingerbread on top of gingerbread to create height without internal supports as it will collapse over time. Likewise, do not expect single sheets of gingerbread to stand alone vertically without substantial support.
Built to last
Structural strength will be important. The recipe provided will create a mix that is structurally strong. The recipe for the walls should create hard biscuits, and not be soft or cake-like. Avoid using baking soda in the recipe as this can make the biscuits softer, lighter and more likely to absorb moisture. Three-dimensional shapes could perhaps be created by shaping biscuit mix around a mould before baking like a metal taco holder for example.
This is your time to experiment and try new things!
Unique
To develop the unique character of the City, all designs should be your own design and not plagiarised from elsewhere. We look forward to seeing some truly experimental structures!
