Gingerbread Houses

How to Make a Gingerbread House

I have been making gingerbread houses with kids for the past 20-years. I was actually getting bored of making gingerbread houses until the nearly three-year-old toddler and I decorated one this year. She was thrilled. She's so proud of her gingerbread house.

When decorating the gingerbread the kids have to add candy to frosting quickly before the frosting hardens. If using a kit I recommend buying more gumdrops and candy to use when making the gingerbread house since the kits never have enough candy included with the gingerbread house. I also like to buy shredded coconut to use as snow around the decorated house.

Here's how you can build a gingerbread house from simplyrecipes.com. You can find gingerbread house molds and kits below.

You Will Need:
 6 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (12 Tbsp) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup dark molasses
1 Tbsp water

Directions:

Make the Gingerbread Dough

1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed the butter and brown sugar until fluffy and well blended. Beat in the eggs, molasses and water until well combined.

3. Beat half of the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until well blended and smooth. Stir in the remaining flour. Knead (or use your mixer's dough hook) until well blended. If dough is too soft, add a little more flour.

4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least two hours, preferably overnight. You can make it up to 3 days ahead of time. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before rolling out.

To see the rest of the directions, including how to decorate the gingerbread house visit simplyrecipes.com.

How to Build a Gingerbread House by Christina Banner

This book will show you how a few easy recipes, everyday ingredients, and basic kitchen equipment are all you need to create a beautiful gingerbread house. Learn how to bake and build a gingerbread house from start to finish, and then find creative ideas for decorating your house, from butterscotch windows to candy-covered trees, helping you create a gingerbread house of your very own design. Whether you decide to recreate one of the designs provided, or choose to create your own work of art, this book will help you have a fun and memorable experience, and a gingerbread house to be proud of.



Gingerbread House Molds







Pre-Made Gingerbread House Kits