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Here’s a classic Gingerbread House Recipe to help you create a festive, delicious masterpiece for the holidays! This gingerbread house will be the perfect center piece for your celebrations, and you can decorate it with your favorite candies and icing.
Ingredients:
For the Gingerbread House:
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing (for construction and decoration):
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 large egg white (or 1 tbsp meringue powder)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2-3 tbsp water (to adjust the consistency)
For Decorating (optional):
- Assorted candy (gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc.)
- Shredded coconut (for snow)
- Mini marshmallows (for snowmen or roof accents)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Gingerbread Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. The dough should be firm but slightly pliable.
2. Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
3. Roll and Cut the Gingerbread Pieces:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use templates or stencils to cut out the pieces for the gingerbread house. Typically, you will need:
- 2 side walls
- 2 front and back walls (with a door)
- 2 roof pieces
- Carefully transfer the cut-out pieces to the baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and firm.
4. Cool the Gingerbread Pieces:
- Allow the gingerbread pieces to cool completely on the baking sheets before assembling.
5. Make the Royal Icing:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg white (or meringue powder) and lemon juice until frothy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Add water slowly to adjust the icing consistency (it should be thick enough to hold the pieces together but not too runny).
- Set aside some royal icing for decorating the house.
6. Assemble the Gingerbread House:
- Start by assembling the walls. Using royal icing, pipe a thick line along the edges of the side and back pieces. Hold the pieces together for a few moments to let the icing set before moving on.
- Once the walls are stable, add the roof pieces one at a time. Again, use royal icing to hold them in place.
- Let the structure dry completely for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
7. Decorate the House:
- Once the house is stable, get creative with the decorations! Use royal icing to attach candy like gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate chips, and sprinkles to the house.
- If you’d like, sprinkle shredded coconut on the roof to mimic snow, or use mini marshmallows for a festive snowman scene.
- Add any other finishing touches, like icing icicles along the roof edges.
8. Enjoy!
- Once your gingerbread house is decorated, let the royal icing harden completely. You now have a beautiful, festive gingerbread house to display and enjoy during the holiday season!
This Gingerbread House is not only a fun activity but also a sweet treat that adds extra holiday cheer. It’s perfect for creating memories with family and friends while enjoying the deliciousness of gingerbread!
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