Get ready to impress your family and friends this holiday season with a delicious and visually stunning Ronkonkoma Gingerbread House. This recipe is perfect for both experienced bakers and beginners who are looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate the holidays. So roll up your sleeves, put on some holiday tunes, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted candies, such as gumdrops, candy canes, and M&Ms, for decoration
- Royal icing, for assembling and decorating the house
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 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 into two equal portions, and shape each into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out the pieces for the house, using a template or a gingerbread house cutter.
- Transfer the pieces to one of the prepared baking sheets, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining dough, until you have all the pieces for the house.
- Once the pieces are cooled, assemble the house using royal icing as glue. Decorate the house with assorted candies, using more royal icing to attach them.
- Let the icing dry completely before serving.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1/6 of recipe):
- Calories: 484
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time
Total time: 4 hours (including chilling and decorating time)
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Gingerbread house template or cutter
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Assorted candies
- Piping bags or plastic bags
Serving Suggestions
This Ronkonkoma Gingerbread House is a showstopper on its own, but you can also serve it alongside some hot cocoa or eggnog for a cozy and festive treat.
Variations
If you want to mix things up, you can try adding some orange zest to the dough for a citrusy twist. You can also experiment with different candy decorations, or even try making a mini gingerbread village instead of a house.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup. You can also use powdered sugar instead of brown sugar, although the flavor and texture may be slightly different.
Storage
This Ronkonkoma Gingerbread House can be stored at room temperature, covered with plastic wrap, for up to a week. You can also freeze the baked pieces for up to a month, and assemble and decorate the house when ready to serve.
Tips
- Make sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out, as this will make it easier to work with and prevent it from spreading too much during baking.
- Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to trim the edges of the baked pieces, if needed, to make them fit together more neatly.
- Be patient when decorating the house, and have fun with it! You can always add more candy or icing if needed.
Notes
This recipe makes a fairly large gingerbread house, so you may want to enlist some help when it comes to assembling and decorating it. You can also scale down the recipe if you prefer a smaller house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use. You may need to let it soften slightly at room temperature before rolling it out, though.
Can I use store-bought royal icing?
Yes, you can use store-bought royal icing if you prefer. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the pieces of the house together and to decorate it with.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
You can try using a gluten-free flour blend in this recipe, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different. Make sure to use a blend that’s specifically meant for baking, and adjust the amount of liquid as needed.
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked gingerbread during the holidays, and this Ronkonkoma Gingerbread House is sure to delight both young and old. While it may seem daunting at first, with a little patience and creativity, you can create a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table. So gather your loved ones and make some memories in the kitchen this holiday season!