The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and delicious treats. If you’re looking for a fun and festive recipe to make with your loved ones, then look no further than Gingerbread House Bloomington. This classic recipe is perfect for creating a beautiful and edible centerpiece for your holiday table. With the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, this gingerbread house is sure to delight your guests and make your holiday season even more special.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Assorted candies and decorations for the house (such as gumdrops, peppermint candies, and icing)
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll out one half of the dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the front, back, and two sides of the house. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Roll out the remaining half of the dough and cut out the roof and chimney pieces. Transfer to a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the gingerbread pieces for 12-15 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Let cool completely.
- Assemble the house using icing as glue. Decorate with assorted candies and decorations.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1/8 of the house
Calories: 460
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 68mg
Sodium: 212mg
Carbohydrates: 76g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 47g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Bake Time: 12-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Mixing spoon
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house template (optional)
- Assorted candies and decorations
Serving Suggestions:
Place the gingerbread house in the center of your holiday table as a beautiful and edible centerpiece. Serve with hot cocoa or eggnog for a festive treat.
Variations:
Try adding different spices to the dough, such as cloves or nutmeg. You can also experiment with different candy decorations to make your gingerbread house unique.
Substitutions:
- You can use margarine instead of butter.
- You can use regular sugar instead of brown sugar, but the flavor and texture may be slightly different.
- You can use honey instead of molasses.
Storage:
Store the gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Be patient when assembling the house and let the icing dry completely before adding more decorations.
- If you don’t have a gingerbread house template, you can create your own by cutting out pieces of cardboard.
- Make sure to chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.
Notes:
This recipe makes one large gingerbread house, but you can also divide the dough into smaller pieces to make individual gingerbread houses.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Can I freeze the gingerbread house?
Yes, you can freeze the gingerbread house for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
Can I use royal icing instead of regular icing?
Yes, royal icing is a great option for decorating gingerbread houses because it dries hard and can hold up the weight of the candies.
Gingerbread House Bloomington is a classic holiday recipe that is sure to bring joy and cheer to your home. Whether you’re making it with your family or sharing it with friends, this gingerbread house is a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. With its delicious flavor and beautiful decorations, this gingerbread house is sure to become a holiday tradition for years to come. So why not give it a try and see for yourself how delicious and fun this recipe can be?