Introduction
Are you ready to take your gingerbread house-making skills to the next level? If you’ve already mastered the basics of building and decorating a gingerbread house, it’s time to step up your game with some more challenging recipes. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing two fun and delicious gingerbread house recipes that will impress your friends and family. So put on some festive music, grab your apron, and get ready to create a masterpiece!
Recipe 1: Spiced Gingerbread House
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
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 together until creamy.
- Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal portions and wrap each in plastic wrap.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out the gingerbread house pieces using a template or cookie cutter.
- Bake the gingerbread pieces for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to the touch.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before assembling and decorating your house.
Nutritional Information:
This recipe makes a large gingerbread house, so the nutritional information will vary depending on how you divide the pieces. One serving (1/12 of the house) contains approximately:
- Calories: 370
- Total fat: 16g
- Saturated fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Total carbohydrates: 53g
- Dietary fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes Chilling time: 1 hour or overnight Baking time: 12-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters or template
- Rolling pin
Serving Suggestions:
This gingerbread house makes a festive centerpiece for a holiday party or family gathering. You can serve it as a dessert or use it as a decoration and then enjoy it later.
Variations:
If you want to get even more creative with your gingerbread house, you can try adding different spices or flavors to the dough. Some ideas include:
- Cardamom
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Lemon zest
- Orange zest
- Almond extract
- Vanilla extract
Substitutions:
If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, here are some possible substitutions:
- Whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour
- Honey or corn syrup for molasses
- Light brown sugar or granulated sugar for dark brown sugar
- Vegetable shortening or coconut oil for butter
Storage:
Store your gingerbread house in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your dough is well chilled before cutting out the pieces.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to trim the edges of the gingerbread pieces for a clean fit.
- Make a simple icing with powdered sugar and water to use as glue for assembling your gingerbread house.
- Get creative with your decorations by using candy, sprinkles, icing, and other edible items.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it? A: Yes, you can make the dough and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out. Q: How do I prevent my gingerbread house from collapsing? A: Make sure you use a sturdy icing to glue the pieces together and let each section dry before adding the roof. You can also use props such as cans or cups to support the walls while the icing dries.
Recipe 2: Chocolate Gingerbread House
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until creamy.
- Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined.
- Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal portions and wrap each in plastic wrap.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out the gingerbread house pieces using a template or cookie cutter.
- Bake the gingerbread pieces for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to the touch.
- Let the gingerbread cool completely before assembling and decorating your house.
Nutritional Information:
This recipe makes a large gingerbread house, so the nutritional information will vary depending on how you divide the pieces. One serving (1/12 of the house) contains approximately:
- Calories: 390
- Total fat: 17g
- Saturated fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 220mg
- Total carbohydrates: 55g
- Dietary fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 28g
- Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation time: 30 minutes Chilling time: 1 hour or overnight Baking time: 12-15 minutes
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters or template
- Rolling pin
Serving Suggestions:
This chocolate gingerbread house is a decadent twist on a classic holiday treat. Serve it for dessert or use it as a centerpiece for your holiday table.
Variations:
If you want to experiment with different flavors, try adding spices such as:
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper