Looking for a fun and festive holiday activity for you and your loved ones? Why not try creating your own gingerbread house with a gingerbread house cutter set? This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit and unleash your creativity in the kitchen. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making a gingerbread house from scratch using a gingerbread house cutter set.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until just combined.
3. Divide dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out each disk of dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the gingerbread house pieces using the gingerbread house cutter set.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until firm and lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
6. Once the gingerbread house pieces are cool, use royal icing to assemble the house. Decorate with your favorite candies and toppings.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 260mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 68g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 43g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (includes chilling time)
Equipment:
- Electric mixer
- Gingerbread house cutter set
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire racks
- Rolling pin
Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy your gingerbread house as a festive centerpiece or as a fun holiday treat to share with loved ones. Pair with hot cocoa or warm apple cider for the ultimate holiday experience.
Variations:
Get creative with your gingerbread house design by using different candy and topping combinations. You can also try adding different spices to the dough, such as cloves or allspice, for a unique twist.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute with honey or maple syrup. You can also use a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.
Storage:
Store your gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips:
- Be sure to chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to work with.
- Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to make it easier to decorate your gingerbread house with royal icing.
- Make sure your gingerbread house pieces are completely cool before assembling to prevent them from breaking.
Notes:
This recipe makes enough dough for one standard-sized gingerbread house. Adjust measurements accordingly if you’re making a larger or smaller gingerbread house.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the dough up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Q: Can I freeze the gingerbread house pieces?
A: Yes, you can freeze the gingerbread house pieces for up to 1 month. Let them thaw at room temperature before assembling.
Q: Can I use store-bought royal icing?
A: Yes, you can use store-bought royal icing instead of making your own.
Personal Thoughts:
Overall, making a gingerbread house with a gingerbread house cutter set is a fun and festive activity that everyone can enjoy. From rolling out the dough to decorating with your favorite candies, this recipe allows you to unleash your creativity and get into the holiday spirit. Plus, the end result is a delicious and edible work of art that you can enjoy with loved ones. So why not give it a try this holiday season?