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Gingerbread House Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 134 reviews

This classic Gingerbread House Recipe combines a spicy, molasses-rich gingerbread dough with a sweet royal icing to create a festive and delicious holiday centerpiece. Perfect for family fun and seasonal decorating, the recipe yields sturdy gingerbread pieces that hold up beautifully when assembled into charming houses, which can be adorned with colorful candies and icing decorations.

Ingredients

Scale

Gingerbread Dough

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour

Royal Icing

  • 2 pounds powdered sugar (about 8 cups)
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the template and preheat oven: Print and cut out your Gingerbread House Template or design your own shapes. Set aside the templates. Preheat your oven to 350° F.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the salted butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add the molasses and mix until fully incorporated.
  3. Add spices and initial flour: Stir in cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, salt, and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour to combine evenly with the wet ingredients.
  4. Form the dough: Gradually add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, alternating with the water, mixing thoroughly and scraping the bowl as needed. The dough should form a stiff, rollable consistency. Chill in the fridge up to 3 days if not using immediately.
  5. Roll out the dough: Roll the dough between sheets of parchment paper to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Flour the top of the dough and rolling pin as needed to prevent sticking.
  6. Cut out shapes: Place the paper templates onto the rolled dough. Using a pizza cutter for long edges and a sharp small knife for details, cut out all pieces needed for the houses. Re-roll scraps to get remaining pieces. Transfer cut pieces carefully to baking sheets lined with parchment.
  7. Bake the gingerbread pieces: Bake on large parchment-lined sheets. Larger pieces such as roof and walls bake about 25-30 minutes; smaller pieces like doors and side walls bake around 20 minutes. Edges should be lightly browned but pieces may still feel soft; they will harden as they cool.
  8. Cool gingerbread: Allow pieces to cool completely before decorating. Store at room temperature up to one week or freeze for 2-3 months wrapped tightly.
  9. Make royal icing: In a large bowl, beat powdered sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar for 7-10 minutes until thick and forming stiff peaks. Adjust consistency by adding powdered sugar to thicken or a few teaspoons of water to thin if needed. The icing should be pipeable.
  10. Assemble the house: Cover a sturdy board with aluminum foil. Pipe thick lines of royal icing onto edges of the gingerbread pieces, attaching walls, front, and back first. Use cans or props to support pieces until the icing sets, usually a few minutes.
  11. Add the roof: Once walls have formed a stable structure, attach roof pieces with royal icing and hold until firm. Let the entire structure set for 10-20 minutes before further decoration.
  12. Decorate: Use remaining icing and candies to decorate your gingerbread house as desired. Allow the icing to harden overnight for best stability.
  13. Display your gingerbread house: Once set and decorated, proudly display your festive creation for all to enjoy.

Notes

  • Use parchment paper when rolling out dough to prevent sticking.
  • Molasses is key to the deep flavor and color of the gingerbread.
  • Royal icing should be thick enough to act as glue but pipeable for decorations.
  • Allow assembled houses to dry and harden overnight for best durability.
  • Pieces can be made in advance and stored or frozen for convenience.
  • Ensure egg whites used for royal icing are fresh and handled safely.

Keywords: gingerbread house, holiday dessert, Christmas, royal icing, molasses, festive baking

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/gingerbread-house-recipe/