Introduction
Looking for a creative and delicious way to celebrate the holidays? Look no further than the log cabin gingerbread house! This festive treat is perfect for kids and adults alike, and it’s sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. In this article, we’ll provide you with two different recipes for making a log cabin gingerbread house, along with all the information you need to make it a success.
Recipe 1: Classic Log Cabin Gingerbread House
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- Assorted candy and icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to the butter mixture, and stir until combined. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Cut gingerbread into pieces to form the walls and roof of the cabin. Use icing to glue the pieces together, and decorate with candy as desired.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
Calories: 360
Total Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 46mg
Sodium: 204mg
Total Carbohydrates: 61g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 36g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer or mixing spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Icing bag or ziplock bag with corner cut off
Serving Suggestions
Serve the log cabin gingerbread house as a festive centerpiece at your holiday gathering. It also makes a great edible gift.
Variations
You can experiment with different types of candy and icing to create your own unique gingerbread house design. You can also try adding different spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, to the gingerbread dough.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute dark corn syrup. You can also use any type of candy or icing that you prefer for decoration.
Storage
Store the gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips
Make sure to let the gingerbread cool completely before cutting it into pieces to form the walls and roof of the cabin. This will help prevent the gingerbread from cracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make the gingerbread dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make the dough up to 1 day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
- Can I freeze the gingerbread house? No, we don’t recommend freezing the gingerbread house as it may become soggy when thawed.
Recipe 2: Vegan Log Cabin Gingerbread House
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegan butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- Assorted vegan candy and icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together vegan butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in applesauce and molasses. In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to the butter mixture, and stir until combined. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Cut gingerbread into pieces to form the walls and roof of the cabin. Use icing to glue the pieces together, and decorate with vegan candy as desired.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
Calories: 358
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 205mg
Total Carbohydrates: 63g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 36g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer or mixing spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Icing bag or ziplock bag with corner cut off
Serving Suggestions
Serve the log cabin gingerbread house as a festive centerpiece at your holiday gathering. It also makes a great edible gift.
Variations
You can experiment with different types of vegan candy and icing to create your own unique gingerbread house design. You can also try adding different spices, such as nutmeg or allspice, to the gingerbread dough.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute dark corn syrup. You can also use any type of vegan candy or icing that you prefer for decoration.
Storage
Store the gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips
Make sure to let the gingerbread cool completely before cutting it into pieces to form the walls and roof of the cabin. This will help prevent the gingerbread from cracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make the gingerbread dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make the dough up to 1 day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
- Can I freeze the gingerbread house? No, we don’t recommend freezing the gingerbread house as it may become soggy when thawed.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, the log cabin gingerbread house is a fun and festive holiday treat that everyone can enjoy. With our two different recipes, you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. So why not give it a try this holiday season? Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you.
