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The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by making your own mini gingerbread houses? This recipe is not only fun and delicious, but it also includes a free template to make the process even easier. So grab your apron, turn on some holiday tunes, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla, and beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until the dough comes together.
- 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 (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Print out the mini gingerbread house template and cut out the shapes.
- On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out the shapes using the template and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining dough until all the shapes are baked.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before assembling the houses.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 mini gingerbread house
Calories: 100
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 45mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 9g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time
Total Time: 2 hours (including chilling time)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixer or whisk
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Mini gingerbread house template (downloadable below)
Serving Suggestions
These mini gingerbread houses make a great edible decoration for your holiday table. Place them on a cake stand or platter and surround them with candy canes, chocolate Santas, and other festive treats. They also make a fun activity for kids to decorate with icing and candy.
Variations
Get creative with your gingerbread houses by using different cookie cutters to make unique shapes. You can also add food coloring to the icing to make it more festive. Use candy canes, gum drops, and other candies to decorate your houses.
Substitutions
- You can use dark corn syrup in place of molasses.
- If you don’t have all the spices on hand, you can use 2 tbsp of gingerbread spice mix instead.
- You can use margarine or vegetable shortening in place of butter.
Storage
Store the baked gingerbread houses in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the baked houses for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature before decorating.
Tips
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before beating it with the sugar. This will ensure a smooth and fluffy dough.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour before rolling it out. This will make it easier to handle and prevent it from spreading too much in the oven.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before assembling the houses. This will prevent them from collapsing or breaking apart.
- Use a piping bag or plastic bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the icing onto the houses. This will give you more control and precision.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste. You can also double the recipe if you want to make more houses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before rolling it out.
Can I use royal icing instead of buttercream?
Yes, you can use royal icing to decorate your gingerbread houses. This will give them a more traditional look and make the candy decorations stick better.
Personal Thoughts
The mini gingerbread house template is such a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. Not only do these little houses look adorable, but they also taste delicious. I love how easy it is to use the template to cut out the shapes, and the dough is easy to work with. The buttercream icing is the perfect finishing touch, and you can really let your creativity shine with the candy decorations. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try!