Looking for a fun and creative way to decorate your house for the holidays? Why not try making a dinosaur gingerbread house? This recipe is perfect for those who love all things prehistoric and sweet. Not only is it a great activity for the whole family, but it also makes for a tasty treat. Follow along for the ingredients, instructions, and tips to make your very own dinosaur gingerbread house.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- Assorted dinosaur-shaped candies and decorations
- 1 batch royal icing (see instructions below)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the egg and molasses, and beat until well combined.
- Add in the dry ingredients in three parts, mixing until just combined each time.
- Form the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the gingerbread house pieces using a template or cookie cutter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the gingerbread is cooling, make the royal icing. In a large bowl, beat together 3 cups of powdered sugar, 2 egg whites, and 1 tsp of lemon juice until smooth and glossy.
- Assemble the gingerbread house using the royal icing as glue. Decorate with dinosaur-shaped candies and decorations.
- Let the icing dry completely before serving.
Nutritional Information:
Calories per serving: 400
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 55mg
Sodium: 190mg
Total Carbohydrates: 65g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 40g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house template or cookie cutter
- Wire rack
- Large bowl
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy your dinosaur gingerbread house as a festive decoration or as a sweet treat for the whole family.
Variations:
Try using different shaped cookie cutters to create a variety of prehistoric creatures for your gingerbread house.
Substitutions:
- Instead of butter, you can use margarine or shortening.
- You can use white sugar instead of brown sugar.
- If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup.
Storage:
Store your dinosaur gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips:
- Make sure to chill your dough before rolling it out to prevent sticking.
- Use a ruler to measure and cut your gingerbread house pieces evenly.
- Decorate your gingerbread house with a variety of candies and decorations for a fun and unique look.
Notes:
Be sure to let the royal icing dry completely before serving to prevent any decorations from falling off.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make the gingerbread house pieces ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the gingerbread house pieces up to a week in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Can I use store-bought icing instead of royal icing?
- Yes, you can use store-bought icing, but it may not be as strong as royal icing and decorations may fall off.
- Can I freeze the gingerbread dough?
- Yes, you can freeze the gingerbread dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge before using.
Personal Thoughts:
Making a dinosaur gingerbread house is a fun and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit. This recipe is perfect for the whole family and allows for creativity and customization. I love how easy it is to make the gingerbread dough and how versatile the decorations can be. Plus, it’s a great way to combine two of my favorite things: dinosaurs and sweets. I encourage everyone to try this recipe out for themselves and have fun creating their very own prehistoric gingerbread masterpiece.