It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than by building your own gingerbread house? Gingerbread houses are a classic holiday tradition that are fun for both kids and adults. Not only do they make for great decorations, but they’re also a tasty treat to enjoy with family and friends.
In this article, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite gingerbread house patterns along with all the information you need to create your own edible wonderland.
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 large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- In another large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, then stir in the molasses and vanilla extract.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each portion into a flat disc.
- Wrap each disc of dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Using a gingerbread house template, cut the dough into the desired shapes.
- Bake the gingerbread pieces for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Let the gingerbread pieces cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.
Nutritional Information
One serving of gingerbread houses (1/12 of recipe) contains:
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 60g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 34g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Gingerbread house template
Serving Suggestions
Gingerbread houses make for a great centerpiece for holiday gatherings. Serve with hot cocoa or apple cider for a festive treat.
Variations
Get creative with your gingerbread house designs! Use different candy decorations, frosting colors, and patterns to make each house unique.
Substitutions
- You can use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar.
- If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup instead.
- If you don’t have ground ginger, you can use fresh ginger.
Storage
Gingerbread houses can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips
- Make sure to refrigerate the dough before rolling it out to prevent sticking.
- Use a gingerbread house template to ensure the pieces fit together properly.
- Let the gingerbread pieces cool completely before assembling.
- Use royal icing to glue the pieces together.
- Decorate the gingerbread house with candy and frosting.
Notes
If you’re making this recipe with kids, make sure to supervise them during the baking and decorating process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Can I use different candy decorations?
Yes, you can use any candy decorations you like! Get creative and have fun with it.
Can I use a different type of flour?
We recommend using all-purpose flour for this recipe, but you can use a different type of flour if you prefer.
Personal Thoughts
Building gingerbread houses is one of my favorite holiday traditions. It’s a fun activity to do with family and friends, and the end result is always so satisfying. I love how creative you can get with the designs and decorations. Plus, they’re delicious to eat! I hope this recipe inspires you to create your own gingerbread house this holiday season.
Summary
In this article, we shared our favorite gingerbread house patterns along with all the information you need to create your own edible wonderland. We included a list of ingredients, instructions, nutritional information, cooking time, equipment, serving suggestions, variations, substitutions, storage, tips, notes, and frequently asked questions. We hope you enjoy making your own gingerbread house and creating new holiday memories!
Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #gingerbreadhousespatterns!