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!
Cook time 30 min
Prep time 350 min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup self-raising flour1 cup all-purpose white wheat flour
1 tbsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 egg whites
3 cup powdered sugar
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.
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 per serving
12 ServingsCalories 390kcal
Protein 2.85g
Carbohydrates 70g
Fiber 0.94g
Sugar 60g
Fat 10g
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