Introduction
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by participating in a gingerbread house door decorations contest? Not only will this activity allow you to showcase your creativity, but it also provides an opportunity to bond with loved ones. In this article, we will provide you with two delicious gingerbread house recipes that are sure to impress the judges.
Recipe 1: Classic Gingerbread House
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
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add the molasses and egg to the butter mixture, and mix until combined.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out the desired shapes for your gingerbread house, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before assembling your gingerbread house.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 236
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 37mg
- Sodium: 107mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 34g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 17g
- Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Serving Suggestions:
You can use royal icing to decorate your gingerbread house and add candy canes, gumdrops, and other festive candies to make it look more appealing.
Variations:
You can add orange zest or lemon zest to the dough to give it a citrusy flavor.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup instead.
Storage:
Store your gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips:
Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag.
Can I make the gingerbread house in advance?
Yes, you can make the gingerbread house up to one week in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Gingerbread House
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 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
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add the molasses and egg to the butter mixture, and mix until combined.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out the desired shapes for your gingerbread house, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before assembling your gingerbread house.
Nutritional Information:
- Serving Size: 1/16 of recipe
- Calories: 243
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 37mg
- Sodium: 108mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 34g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 16g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Serving Suggestions:
You can use chocolate icing to decorate your gingerbread house and add candy canes, chocolate chips, and other festive candies to make it look more appealing.
Variations:
You can add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts to the dough to give it a crunchy texture.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup instead.
Storage:
Store your gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips:
Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out to prevent it from sticking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag.
Can I make the gingerbread house in advance?
Yes, you can make the gingerbread house up to one week in advance and store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a gingerbread house door decorations contest is a fun and exciting activity for the whole family. These two delicious gingerbread house recipes are sure to impress the judges and make your house the talk of the neighborhood. So, what are you waiting for? Start baking and get creative with your decorations!