Gingerbread houses are a festive and fun way to get into the holiday spirit. Making a gingerbread house from scratch may seem daunting, but with a little patience and creativity, it’s a fun and rewarding experience that the whole family can enjoy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own gingerbread house.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the icing:
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Tools:
- Gingerbread house templates (or create your own)
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheets
- Pastry bag with a small tip
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
- Add molasses and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and flatten into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Once the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
- Lightly flour a work surface and roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out the gingerbread house templates using cookie cutters or create your own using cardboard or paper.
- Carefully transfer the cut-out pieces to the prepared baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let the gingerbread pieces cool completely on the baking sheets.
- To make the icing, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and continue to beat on high speed until the icing is thick and glossy.
- Spoon the icing into a pastry bag with a small tip.
- To assemble the gingerbread house, pipe a thick line of icing along the bottom edge of one of the side walls and attach it to the base.
- Hold the piece in place until the icing sets (about 2-3 minutes).
- Repeat the process with the other side wall.
- Pipe a thick line of icing along the top edges of the side walls and attach the roof pieces.
- Hold the roof pieces in place until the icing sets (about 2-3 minutes).
- Pipe icing along any seams or edges to create a smooth finish.
- Let the gingerbread house sit for at least an hour to let the icing harden before decorating.
And there you have it – a fun and festive gingerbread house that you can make at home! Get creative with your decorations and enjoy the holiday season.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.