As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to start thinking about all the sweet treats that come along with it. While gingerbread houses are traditionally associated with Christmas, there’s no reason why we can’t put a Hanukkah twist on this classic dessert. This recipe combines the warm spices of gingerbread with the bright colors of Hanukkah for a festive treat that’s sure to delight. Plus, making a gingerbread house is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- Assorted Hanukkah candies for decorating
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. 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.
- Remove one disc of dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a Hanukkah-themed cookie cutter to cut out shapes for the house. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat with the remaining disc of dough until you have enough shapes to build your house.
- To assemble the house, use royal icing to glue the pieces together. Let dry for at least 1 hour before decorating with Hanukkah candies.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
Calories: 320
Total Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 50mg
Sodium: 170mg
Total Carbohydrates: 49g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 26g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Total Time: 2 hours
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Hanukkah-themed cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Royal icing
- Assorted Hanukkah candies
Serving Suggestions:
This Hanukkah gingerbread house makes a great centerpiece for your holiday table. Serve it alongside other festive treats like sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes). Don’t forget to take plenty of photos before you start eating!
Variations:
Feel free to get creative with your decorations! Use different colors of icing and a variety of Hanukkah candies to make your gingerbread house truly unique. You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes for the house itself.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of honey or maple syrup. Just keep in mind that this will change the flavor of the gingerbread slightly. You can also use margarine instead of butter if you need to make the recipe dairy-free.
Storage:
Store your Hanukkah gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’re not going to eat it right away, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 1 month.
Tips:
- Make sure your dough is well chilled before you start rolling it out. This will make it easier to work with and help the shapes hold their form during baking.
- Use plenty of royal icing to glue the pieces together. This will ensure that your gingerbread house is sturdy and won’t fall apart.
- Be patient when decorating your gingerbread house. Take your time and have fun with it!
Notes:
If you’re making this gingerbread house with kids, be sure to supervise them closely when using the oven and handling hot baking sheets. You may also want to give them plastic knives or spatulas to use instead of sharp tools.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour, but keep in mind that this may affect the texture of the gingerbread.
Can I make the gingerbread ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the gingerbread dough up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
Can I use store-bought royal icing?
Yes, you can use store-bought icing if you prefer. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the pieces of gingerbread together.
This Hanukkah gingerbread house is a fun and festive twist on a classic treat. It’s the perfect activity to do with your family during the holiday season, and it makes a great centerpiece for your table. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your decorations – the possibilities are endless! So why not give this recipe a try and see what kind of masterpiece you can create?