The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by building your own gingerbread house? This beloved holiday tradition is not only fun for the whole family, but it also makes for a delicious and decorative centerpiece. But before you start decorating, you’ll need to gather all the necessary supplies. Here’s a gingerbread house supplies list to help you get started.
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
- 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
- Add molasses and vanilla and mix until well blended.
- Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
- Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
- Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out house pattern
- Place cutouts onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the size of the pieces) until the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes.
- Remove from baking sheets and cool completely on wire racks.
Nutritional Information:
Per Serving: Calories 180; Total Fat 4.5g; Saturated Fat 2.5g; Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 105mg; Total Carbohydrates 33g; Dietary Fiber 0g; Protein 2g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
- Wire racks
Serving Suggestions:
Decorate your gingerbread house with royal icing, candy canes, gumdrops, and other festive treats. You can also place a tea light inside for a cozy holiday glow.
Variations:
Try adding different spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, to the gingerbread dough for a unique flavor. You can also use different candy decorations to personalize your gingerbread house.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or corn syrup instead. You can also substitute brown sugar with granulated sugar.
Storage:
Store your decorated gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’re not decorating right away, you can store the baked gingerbread pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- To make assembling your gingerbread house easier, use a piping bag to pipe royal icing onto the edges of the pieces before sticking them together.
- If your dough is too sticky, wrap it in plastic and chill for 30 minutes before rolling out.
- Be creative with your decorations, and have fun!
Notes:
Make sure your gingerbread house pieces are completely cool before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make the gingerbread dough ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the gingerbread dough up to 8 hours ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll it out.
- Can I freeze the gingerbread house pieces?
- Yes, you can freeze the baked gingerbread house pieces for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing.
- What kind of candy should I use to decorate my gingerbread house?
- You can use any kind of candy you like, such as gumdrops, candy canes, M&M’s, or sprinkles.
Personal Thoughts:
Building a gingerbread house is one of my favorite holiday traditions. It’s not only fun to make, but it also looks and smells amazing. This gingerbread house recipe is easy to follow and produces delicious results. I love getting creative with my decorations and making each gingerbread house unique. I encourage everyone to give it a try!
Summarizes:
This gingerbread house supplies list provides all the necessary ingredients, instructions, and tips for building your own festive holiday home. With a delicious gingerbread dough and a variety of candy decorations, your gingerbread house will be the talk of the town. Don’t forget to have fun and get creative!
Encourages:
So what are you waiting for? Gather your supplies, preheat your oven, and start building your own gingerbread house today. It’s a fun and delicious way to get into the holiday spirit!