Gingerbread House Recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces butter - (2 sticks)
3/4 cup brown sugar - (firmly packed)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup molasses
3/4 cup cold water
2 cups powdered sugar, 10X
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
10 Necco Wafer rolls possibly more
depending on number of houses
2 pounds chocolate covered raisins
1 pound hard candies in assorted colors
1 pound cinnamon red hots
2 bag mini-malted milkballs, coated assorte
Assorted Christmas candies, your choice

Preparation

1
In a mixing bowl, on medium speed, cream together the butter, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Add the molasses, mixing until incorporated. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix each cup until just combined. With the mixer running, slowly add the water. Spread the dough out on a sheet pan, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you"re ready to roll it out (ideally overnight, three hours minimum).
2
Keep gingerbread cool while working with it. Dust with flour to avoid sticking. Brush away excess flour after cutting.
3
Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Apply even pressure on rolling pin to avoid variance in thickness. Cut out house pieces using your cardboard templates. A dough wheel works best. Use a paring knife for corners.
4
Bake pieces in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until dough is set well. Crisp gingerbread is a must for a lasting structure. Allow pieces to cool completely before assembly - overnight is ideal. If pans are not level transfer warm pieces carefully onto the counter surface so they set completely flat.
5
For the Royal Icing: In the bowl of a mixer, blend the above ingredients together and mix on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Keep covered with a damp towel to prevent a crust from forming on the icing.
6
Assembly Of Gingerbread Houses: Windows should be decorated before assembly. Colored flow icing, crushed candies, melted leaf gelatin, marzipan, etc.
7
Mix royal icing and keep covered with a damp towel. Assemble house on a 12-inch round base of your choice. Start with a front piece and a side piece using royal icing liberally on the inside. The 2 pieces should stand without assistance. Assemble remaining pieces in the same fashion. Roof pieces may need support to counteract gravity, sugar boxes, soda cans work well.
8
Time to decorate your house. Necco wafers make excellent roof shingles. Chocolate covered raisins will build a chimney. Red hots, jelly beans, chocolate chips, gummi bears - use your imagination in the candy aisle.
9
Finish with royal icing and dust with snow - donut sugar looks best.

Tools

.

Yield:

1.0 servings

Added:

Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 12:56am

Creator:

Anonymous

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