Introduction
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by baking a gingerbread house border? This creative twist on the classic gingerbread house is sure to impress your guests, and it’s a fun activity to do with the whole family. In this recipe blog article, we’ll go over everything you need to know to create the perfect gingerbread house border, from ingredients to serving suggestions.
Ingredients
For the gingerbread dough, you will need: – 3 cups all-purpose flour – 1 teaspoon baking soda – 2 teaspoons ground ginger – 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves – 1/2 teaspoon salt – 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – 1/2 cup brown sugar – 1 large egg – 1/2 cup molasses For the royal icing, you will need: – 3 cups powdered sugar – 2 egg whites – 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. 2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. 3. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined. 4. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together. 5. Divide the dough into four equal parts and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. 6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough portions to about 1/4 inch thickness. 8. Cut out a long rectangle shape to use as the base of your gingerbread house border. 9. Cut out smaller shapes to use as the “houses” along the border. You can use cookie cutters or create your own shapes with a knife. 10. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. 11. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating. 12. To make the royal icing, beat the powdered sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar together until smooth and thick. 13. Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. 14. Pipe the icing onto the edges of the cookie shapes to create the “walls” of the gingerbread houses. 15. Use the icing to attach the smaller shapes to the base rectangle. 16. Decorate the “houses” with additional icing and any other decorations of your choice, such as candy canes, gumdrops, or sprinkles.
Nutritional Information
This recipe makes approximately 24 servings. Each serving contains: – Calories: 200 – Fat: 6g – Carbohydrates: 35g – Protein: 2g – Sodium: 100mg – Sugar: 23g
Cooking Time
Preparation time for this recipe is approximately 1 hour, plus 30 minutes for chilling the dough. Baking time is approximately 10-12 minutes per batch.
Equipment
– Mixing bowls – Electric mixer – Plastic wrap – Rolling pin – Cookie cutters or knife – Parchment paper – Baking sheet – Piping bag with small round tip
Serving Suggestions
Serve your gingerbread house border as a festive dessert or snack during the holiday season. It pairs well with hot cocoa, eggnog, or tea. You can also use it as a centerpiece for your holiday table.
Variations
– Instead of a rectangle base, use a circular or triangular shape for a different look. – Try using different cookie cutter shapes for the “houses” along the border, such as stars or trees. – Use different colors of icing to create a more colorful gingerbread house border.
Substitutions
– You can substitute honey or corn syrup for the molasses in the gingerbread dough. – If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can use lemon juice or white vinegar instead. – You can use store-bought icing instead of making your own.
Storage
Store your gingerbread house border in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips
– Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out to make it easier to work with. – Don’t overwork the dough, as this can make it tough. – If the royal icing is too thick, add a few drops of water to thin it out. – Decorate the gingerbread house border as soon as possible after assembling it, as the icing can harden over time.
Notes
– This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs. – If you want to create a larger gingerbread house border, you can use additional batches of dough and icing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time? A: Yes, you can make the dough up to three days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Q: Can I freeze the gingerbread house border? A: Yes, you can freeze the baked and decorated gingerbread house border for up to one month. Thaw it at room temperature before serving. Q: Can I use different types of candy to decorate the gingerbread house border? A: Yes, you can use any type of candy or decoration that you like.
Personal Thoughts
Overall, the gingerbread house border is a fun and festive addition to any holiday gathering. It’s a great way to get creative in the kitchen and impress your guests with your baking skills. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking with different shapes and decorations. Give it a try this holiday season and enjoy the delicious results!