Introduction
Are you looking for a fun and delicious recipe to try this holiday season? Look no further than this gingerbread tree house! This recipe will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but it will also provide a fun and creative activity for you and your loved ones. So put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Assorted candies and decorations for the tree house
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Working with one disc of dough at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the house pieces using a template or cookie cutters. Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk to make the icing. Transfer the icing to a piping bag or plastic bag, and snip off the tip. Use the icing to glue the house pieces together and decorate the tree house with assorted candies and decorations.
Nutritional Information
- Serving size: 1 gingerbread tree house
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 52g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 2 hours
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters or template
- Piping bag or plastic bag
Serving Suggestions
Serve this gingerbread tree house as a fun and festive dessert for a holiday party or as a creative activity for kids and adults alike.
Variations
Get creative with your decorations and use different candies and decorations to personalize your gingerbread tree house. Use different cookie cutters or templates to make different shaped houses or add a front yard with gingerbread trees and snowmen.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses, you can use honey or maple syrup as a substitute. If you don’t have dark brown sugar, you can use light brown sugar or granulated sugar instead.
Storage
Store the gingerbread tree house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips
Make sure to refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll out and cut into the desired shapes. Use a template or cookie cutters to ensure that all of the house pieces are the same size and shape.
Notes
This recipe makes one gingerbread tree house, but you can easily double or triple the recipe to make more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Can I freeze the gingerbread tree house?
Yes, you can freeze the gingerbread tree house for up to 1 month. Make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container.
Can I use store-bought icing instead of making my own?
Yes, you can use store-bought icing, but making your own is easy and tastes better.
Personal Thoughts
This gingerbread tree house recipe is not only fun to make, but it also tastes delicious. The warm spices in the gingerbread dough pair perfectly with the sweet icing and assorted candies. This recipe is a great activity for kids and adults alike and is sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. So put on some holiday music, gather your loved ones, and get creative with this gingerbread tree house recipe!