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The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to get into the spirit than by making some adorable and delicious pink gingerbread houses? These festive treats are perfect for decorating and sharing with loved ones. Not only will they add a touch of sweetness to your holiday décor, but they are also a fun and creative activity for the whole family to enjoy. So, gather your ingredients and let’s get started on making these delightful pink gingerbread houses!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 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, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp pink food coloring
- Assorted candies and decorations for decorating
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the molasses, egg, vanilla, and pink food coloring, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated and a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, and shape each portion into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each disc of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread house template or cookie cutter to cut out the desired shapes.
- Transfer the gingerbread shapes to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate your gingerbread houses with assorted candies and decorations using royal icing as glue.
- Let the icing dry completely before displaying or serving your pink gingerbread houses.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 gingerbread house
Calories: 320
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 240mg
Total Carbohydrates: 56g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 35g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time
Total Time: 2 hours (includes chilling time)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house template or cookie cutter
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack
- Assorted candies and decorations
- Pastry bag or plastic bag for piping royal icing
Serving Suggestions
These pink gingerbread houses are a festive and fun treat to share with family and friends during the holiday season. Place them on a platter or cake stand for a cute and colorful centerpiece on your dessert table. You can also package them up in cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon for a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with your gingerbread house decorations! Use different colors of icing, assorted candies, and even edible glitter for a whimsical and unique look. You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes of gingerbread houses. Try making a village of small houses or a large gingerbread mansion!
Substitutions
If you don’t have pink food coloring on hand, you can use any color you like or omit it altogether. You can also use honey or golden syrup in place of molasses. For a vegan version, you can substitute the butter and egg with vegan alternatives.
Storage
Store your pink gingerbread houses in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month.
Tips
To make sure your gingerbread houses are sturdy, be sure to roll out the dough to an even thickness and bake until lightly golden brown. Let the gingerbread cool completely before decorating with icing and candies. And don’t forget to have fun and let your creativity shine!
Notes
This recipe makes 2-3 gingerbread houses, depending on the size of your templates or cookie cutters.
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 until ready to use.
How do I cut out the gingerbread house shapes?
You can use a gingerbread house template, which can be found online, or a gingerbread house cookie cutter. If using a template, trace the shapes onto parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut them out.
Can I use store-bought icing instead of making royal icing?
Yes, you can use store-bought icing, but keep in mind that it may not be as sturdy as royal icing for holding the gingerbread house together.
Personal Thoughts
These pink gingerbread houses are not only delicious, but they are also so much fun to make and decorate! The pink color adds a festive and whimsical touch, and the possibilities for decorating are endless. I love making these with my family during the holiday season and seeing everyone’s creative designs come to life. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try for a sweet and festive holiday treat that is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!