The holiday season is upon us and what better way to add some festive cheer to your workspace than by building a gingerbread house cubicle? Not only will it bring a smile to your face every time you sit down at your desk, but it will also spread joy to your colleagues. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of gingerbread wafting through the office?
In this article, we’ll give you some creative ideas for building a gingerbread house cubicle, along with a recipe and all the information you need to get started.
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, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- Candy decorations
- Royal icing (powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice)
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 and molasses until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough into four equal parts and wrap each in plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll out each piece of dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out the shapes for your gingerbread house.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Once the gingerbread is cool, assemble the house using royal icing as glue.
- Decorate with candy decorations and more royal icing.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1/8 of recipe
Calories: 480
Total fat: 19g
Saturated fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 270mg
Total carbohydrate: 75g
Dietary fiber: 1g
Sugars: 40g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total time: 2 hours
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Gingerbread house templates
- Knife
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
Serving Suggestions:
Serve your gingerbread house cubicle as a fun and festive decoration for your workspace. Share with colleagues and spread the holiday cheer!
Variations:
Get creative with your gingerbread house cubicle by adding different candy decorations or using different colors of royal icing. You could also make mini gingerbread houses to place on your desk or use as place settings for a holiday party.
Substitutions:
- You can use margarine instead of butter, but the flavor may be slightly different.
- Instead of molasses, you can use honey or corn syrup.
- You can use any type of candy decorations you like.
- If you don’t have lemon juice for the royal icing, you can use vinegar or cream of tartar instead.
Storage:
Your gingerbread house cubicle can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Make sure your gingerbread dough is well chilled before rolling it out.
- Use a sharp knife to cut out the shapes for your gingerbread house.
- Be patient when assembling your gingerbread house and allow the royal icing to dry completely before adding more decorations.
Notes:
This recipe makes enough dough for one large gingerbread house or several smaller ones. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the gingerbread dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I use store-bought royal icing?
Yes, you can use store-bought royal icing if you prefer.
Can I use this recipe to make gingerbread cookies?
Yes, you can use this recipe to make gingerbread cookies. Just roll out the dough and cut into desired shapes.
Personal Thoughts:
I absolutely love this gingerbread house cubicle idea! It’s such a fun and festive way to add some holiday cheer to your workspace. The recipe is easy to follow and the end result is so cute. I can’t wait to try it out and share it with my colleagues!
Overall, this is a great recipe and idea for anyone who wants to spread some holiday joy in their workplace. Give it a try and see how it brightens up your day!