Looking for a fun and tasty way to bring some holiday cheer to your home? Why not try making a gingerbread house? Not only is it a festive decoration, but it’s also a delicious treat that you can enjoy with your family and friends. Plus, building a gingerbread house can be a great way to get everyone involved in the holiday spirit. In this article, we’ll share our best recipe for gingerbread house and provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to make it a success.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each dough half to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out desired shapes for your gingerbread house (walls, roof, chimney, etc.) and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and let cool completely before assembling your gingerbread house with royal icing.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
Calories: 320
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 230mg
Total Carbohydrates: 49g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 26g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours or overnight
Baking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house cookie cutters
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Cooling rack
- Pastry bag or zip-top bag for icing
Serving Suggestions
There’s no wrong way to serve a gingerbread house! You can leave it out as a festive decoration or break it apart and serve it as a delicious treat. You can also add candy and other decorations to make it even more fun and flavorful.
Variations
This gingerbread house recipe is pretty classic, but you can always experiment with different spices and flavors to make it your own. Some ideas to try include:
- Adding orange zest and juice for a citrusy twist
- Swapping out some of the molasses for honey or maple syrup
- Using different shapes for your gingerbread house, like a castle or a cabin
- Decorating with different types of candy and frosting
Substitutions
If you don’t have all the ingredients for this recipe, you can make a few substitutions:
- Use dark corn syrup instead of molasses
- Swap out brown sugar for granulated sugar
- Use margarine instead of butter
- Substitute cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves for pumpkin pie spice
Storage
Your gingerbread house will last for several weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure to keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight, which can cause the decorations to melt or fade.
Tips
- Chill your dough before rolling it out to make it easier to handle and less likely to spread while baking.
- Use a ruler or other straight edge to make sure your gingerbread house walls are even and straight.
- Let your gingerbread house pieces cool completely before assembling to prevent them from breaking or melting the icing.
- If your icing is too thick, add a little bit of water. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Have fun with your decorating! There’s no wrong way to decorate a gingerbread house.
Notes
While building a gingerbread house can be a fun and rewarding experience, it can also be a bit challenging. Don’t worry if your first attempt doesn’t turn out perfectly – just enjoy the process and have fun with it! And remember, even if your gingerbread house isn’t a work of art, it will still be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make gingerbread house dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can make the dough up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Q: Can I freeze my gingerbread house?
A: Yes, you can freeze your gingerbread house for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Q: Can I use store-bought icing to decorate my gingerbread house?
A: Yes, you can use store-bought icing if you prefer. However, we recommend making your own royal icing for the best results.
Personal Thoughts
Making a gingerbread house is one of my favorite holiday traditions. It’s a fun and festive way to get into the spirit of the season, and it always brings a smile to my face. This recipe is easy to follow and yields delicious results. I love how versatile it is – you can customize it to your liking by adding different spices or decorations. Plus, it’s a great activity to do with your family or friends. I encourage everyone to give it a try!