Are you looking for a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit? Why not try your hand at building a gingerbread house? But not just any gingerbread house. Let’s go big and build a gingerbread mansion! This recipe will guide you through the process of creating your very own edible dream home.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup molasses
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the molasses.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, mixing until just combined.
- Divide the dough into four equal parts and wrap each part in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each section of dough to ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out your mansion pieces using the template provided.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Let cool completely before assembling your gingerbread mansion.
Nutritional Information:
Serving size: 1/12 of recipe (assuming a 12-piece mansion)
Calories: 600
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 90mg
Sodium: 470mg
Carbohydrates: 98g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 48g
Protein: 7g
Cooking Time:
Prep time: 2 hours
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Gingerbread mansion template (can be found online)
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Serving Suggestions:
Serve your gingerbread mansion as a centerpiece for your holiday table. It also makes a great dessert for a holiday party.
Variations:
Get creative with your gingerbread mansion! Use different candy and icing decorations to make it uniquely your own. You can also experiment with different flavors of dough by adding citrus zest, cocoa powder, or other spices.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup. You can also use margarine instead of butter, but keep in mind that it will affect the taste and texture of the gingerbread.
Storage:
Your gingerbread mansion will keep for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze the pieces for up to three months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before beating it with the sugar. This will help ensure a smooth and creamy batter.
- Refrigerating the dough before rolling it out will make it easier to work with and help prevent it from sticking to your rolling pin.
- Be patient when assembling your gingerbread mansion. Use plenty of icing to hold the pieces together and let it dry completely before adding any decorations.
Notes:
This recipe makes enough dough to create a large gingerbread mansion with plenty of extra pieces for decoration. If you’re only making a small house, consider halving the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make the gingerbread dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the dough up to three days in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to use it.
Do I need to use a gingerbread mansion template?
While it’s not strictly necessary, using a template will help ensure that your pieces fit together properly and your mansion looks like it should. You can find templates online or make your own by drawing out the pieces on paper.
Can I use royal icing instead of buttercream?
Yes, royal icing is a great option for assembling and decorating your gingerbread mansion. It’s sturdy and dries hard, which will help hold the pieces together.
Final Thoughts:
Building a gingerbread mansion is a fun and festive way to get into the holiday spirit. This recipe will guide you through the process of creating your own edible dream home. Get creative with your decorations and have fun with it! Just be sure to take plenty of pictures before devouring your masterpiece.