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1
Since I only have a limited amount of time to make this, I spread the work out over several days.
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I planned things out so I just needed to do a little bit every day.
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On the first day: Develop the design and create the patterns.
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Match the pattern that you plan to use for the train to the size of the baking sheet that you will use.
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I prepared the dough while considering how much of it I needed.
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I made the cocoa dough rather dark.
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Freeze the dough.
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The train is made up of these pieces: 8cm square sides, 5cm wide main body (the front and back walls are 5cm high), and a 7cm x 10 cm roof.
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I cut windows in the wide panels.
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The chimney is a 3 cm diameter cylinder.
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The front engine body is a 4.5 cm diameter cylinder.
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The very front part is a trapezoid with the sides being 3.5 cm and 5 cm, with a height of 2.5 cm.
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The freight cars are 8 x 5 x 5 cm.
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Day 2: Defrost the cookie dough until it is easy to work, roll it out, and cut out the shapes.
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Place the cut out shapes on pieces of plastic wrap and cover with another piece of plastic wrap.
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Place in the freezer.
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I made candy cane shapes from the leftover cookie dough.
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Day 3: Place the cut out dough train pieces on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in the oven.
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Bake the decorative cookie parts at the same time.
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Make the royal icing.
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Mix dehydrated egg whites with powdered sugar and add some water (probably just a few drops).
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I made the icing rather still so that it could be used as adhesive.
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Day 4: Using a knife, repair and adjust the pieces that have become warped or puffy in the oven.
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At the same time, carefully shave off the edges of the cookie pieces so that they are at a 45 degree angle, so that it's easy to stick them together.
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Put the royal icing into a piping bag and use it to stick the cookie parts together!
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Set them aside and leave to dry completely.
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Day 5: Line up the cookies on atray and use icing to draw on snow.
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Load up the freight cars with candies and chocolates...and it's done.
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Here's what it looks like from the side.
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Here's what it looks like from the front looking down.
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I sprinkled the tray with red and green decorative sugar crystals.
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I also added snowflake shaped sugar sprinkles.
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I decorated the inside and outside of the freight cars with snacks and sweets.
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Postscript: After disassembling the train, break up the larger cookies into appropriate sizes and place in an air tight container.
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35
I gathered up the leftover pieces and fragments, moistened them with fresh cream (or milk), add melted chocolate and form into balls..
