Introduction
The holiday season is all about creating beautiful memories with your loved ones. And what better way to do that than to make a gingerbread house together? It’s a fun activity that everyone can enjoy, and the best part is that you get to eat your creation afterward! In this article, we’ll be sharing our favorite gingerbread house cookie recipe that’s easy to make and tastes delicious.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough into two equal parts, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each dough ball to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut out the gingerbread house shapes using a template or cookie cutter.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Cool completely before assembling with royal icing.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 37g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 19g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
Preparation Time: 15 minutes Chilling Time: 1 hour Baking Time: 10-12 minutes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Separate bowl for wet ingredients
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Gingerbread house template or cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
Serving Suggestions
Serve your gingerbread house cookies with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa. You can also decorate your gingerbread house with your favorite candies and sprinkles.
Variations
Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruits to the cookie dough for an extra crunch. You can also use different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters to make a gingerbread village or gingerbread men.
Substitutions
You can use honey instead of molasses, but it will give your cookies a lighter color and a milder flavor. You can also use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.
Storage
Store your gingerbread house cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Tips
Make sure to chill the cookie dough before rolling it out. This will make it easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Notes
Royal icing is the best glue to use for assembling your gingerbread house. You can make it by beating together egg whites, powdered sugar, and a little lemon juice until it forms stiff peaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make the dough up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Can I freeze the dough? Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling it out. Can I use margarine instead of butter? Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter, but it may affect the taste and texture of the cookies.
Conclusion
Making a gingerbread house is a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season. With this gingerbread house cookie recipe, you’ll be able to create a delicious and beautiful gingerbread house that you can enjoy with your family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Gather your loved ones and start baking!