Step 48 Once they ’ ve dried enough so that working with them won ’ t make the candle fall over , you can start adding the side panels . I found the easiest way to do this was to pipe a line all the way around the outer edge of the base , place and gently hold the top of the 1st side with the tip of my finger , while adding a line of icing along one of side edges , then add a 2nd side to this piped edge . It should now stand without you needing to hold it . Add a line of icing along the exposed side edge of the 2nd piece and add a 3rd side . Add a line of icing along the exposed side edge of the 3rd side , also another line of icing to the side edge of the 1st side piece and place the 4th and final side piece , completing the ‘ glass ’ area of the lantern . Repeat with the other base and side pieces .
Step 49 Looking at them from the top and from each side , double check to make sure the sides are standing straight and squarely on the base . Set aside to dry . Once dry , if you wanted to , you can pipe an extra line of icing along each join to give it a bit more strength , smoothing the icing gently with your fingertip to neaten it up .
Step 50 Pipe a line of icing along the top edge of all 4 side pieces and gently place the top part of the lantern on the wet icing , pressing down very gently to ensure it adheres . Warning : don ’ t press down on the handle part , it will break for sure if you do ! Repeat with the 2nd lantern and set them both aside to dry . Once the lanterns are completely dry , use a little red icing ‘ glue ’ to adhere a lantern to each side of the sleigh ( on top of the front bit of the sleigh ). Once the lanterns are completely dry , as with any royal icing transfer , if you store them in an airtight container with a few sachets of food safe moisture absorber , they will keep for many months allowing you to make these well in advance if you choose .