Royal Icing Gumdrop

Here's another royal icing version of a candy frequently found on gingerbread houses: gumdrops. I'd prefer to not use the real thing because they sure do get gummy, and quickly (in my damp climate, anyway). All you'll need is a round tip (I used #12), stiff consistency royal icing in any festive color, a flower nail, parchment paper squares, a glue stick, a Styrofoam block to rest the nail in, colored sprinkles, and a dusting pouch filled with a 50/50 blend of powdered sugar and cornstarch. Start by sticking a parchment square to the flower nail with a dab from the glue stick.  

 Hold the tip just above and at a right angle to the surface. Squeeze out a dollop of icing while moving the tip straight up. After about half an inch, stop pressure and pull the tip away. Touch a fingertip to the dusting pouch and gently tap the icing into the iconic gumdrop shape if need be.

 While the icing is wet, sprinkle it with colored sugar. Use any color you like!