Gingerbread house
Create a festive centerpiece with this delightful gingerbread house recipe! Featuring a spicy blend of ginger and cinnamon, paired with rich brown sugar and buttery goodness, it’s perfect for holiday baking. Get your hands crafty with a touch of sweet maple syrup and intricate icing made from egg whites and powdered sugar. Enjoy a fun-filled project that’s equally delicious and decorative!
- 13 Apr 2025
- Cook time 30 min
- Prep time 350 min
- 12 Servings
- 9 Ingredients
Creating a gingerbread house is a festive and fun activity that not only brings the family together but also results in a charming and edible centerpiece for the holidays. This recipe combines the rich flavors of ginger and cinnamon with the sweetness of brown sugar and maple syrup to create a sturdy yet delicious gingerbread perfect for building your house.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, all-purpose flour, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
3. Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Incorporate syrup: Add the maple syrup to the butter and sugar mixture and beat until combined.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.
6. Refrigerate dough: Divide the dough into two equal parts, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
1. Roll dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4-inch thick.
2. Cut shapes: Using gingerbread house templates, cut out the required shapes (walls, roof pieces, and any additional design elements). Re-roll scraps as necessary.
3. Bake pieces: Place the cut pieces on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small space between each one. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are firm and lightly browned.
4. Cool completely: Allow the pieces to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
1. Beat egg whites: In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy.
2. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until the icing is smooth and thick. Increase the speed and beat for about 5 minutes, or until the icing holds stiff peaks.
3. Adjust consistency: If the icing is too thick, add a few drops of water until the desired consistency is reached. For thicker icing to use as glue, keep it stiff; for decorating, you might want to thin it slightly.
1. Prepare a base: Choose a sturdy base (like a wooden board or a thick piece of cardboard) covered with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Glue pieces together: Use the royal icing as glue. Pipe a thick line of icing along the edges of each wall piece and press them together. Hold them in place for a few minutes to let the icing set.
3. Add the roof: Pipe icing along the top edges of the walls, then gently press the roof pieces into place. Hold until set.
4. Add decorations: Use the remaining royal icing to pipe decorations on the house. Add candy, sprinkles, or other edible decorations as desired.
1. Dry completely: Allow the assembled gingerbread house to sit at room temperature for several hours or overnight to ensure all the icing has hardened.
Tips:
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature to mix more easily with the sugar and syrup.
- Chill the dough before rolling it out to make it easier to handle and cut precise shapes.
- Use a ruler to measure and cut even panels for the house construction to ensure they fit together properly.
- Allow the baked pieces to cool completely before assembling the house to avoid structural issues.
- Use royal icing made from the egg whites and powdered sugar to act as glue for assembling the house. It hardens quickly and holds well.
- Decorate your gingerbread house with candies, sprinkles, and additional icing for a festive touch.
Building a gingerbread house is a delightful holiday tradition that combines creativity with culinary skills. Following this recipe and the tips provided, you'll be able to create a charming and delicious gingerbread house that will be a highlight of your holiday celebrations. Enjoy the process and have fun decorating with your loved ones.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 100 grams |
| Energy | |
| Calories 390kcal | 19% |
| Protein | |
| Protein 2.85g | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | |
| Carbohydrates 70g | 21% |
| Fiber 0.94g | 2% |
| Sugar 60g | 58% |
| Fat | |
| Fat 10g | 12% |
| Saturated 6g | 19% |
| Cholesterol 30mg | - |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A 90ug | 10% |
| Choline 5mg | 1% |
| Vitamin B1 0.05mg | 4% |
| Vitamin B2 0.03mg | 2% |
| Vitamin B3 0.42mg | 3% |
| Vitamin B6 0.03mg | 2% |
| Vitamin B9 5ug | 1% |
| Vitamin B12 0.00ug | 0% |
| Vitamin C 0.03mg | 0% |
| Vitamin E 0.02mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K 1.08ug | 1% |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium, Ca 30mg | 2% |
| Copper, Cu 0.06mg | 6% |
| Iron, Fe 0.66mg | 6% |
| Magnesium, Mg 12mg | 3% |
| Phosphorus, P 30mg | 2% |
| Potassium, K 80mg | 2% |
| Selenium, Se 6ug | 10% |
| Sodium, Na 18mg | 1% |
| Zinc, Zn 0.27mg | 2% |
| Water | |
| Water 9g | - |
| * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. | |
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