How to Make Gingerbread Houses | Bake It Up a Notch with Erin McDowell

Introduction

Making a gingerbread house is a delightful holiday tradition that brings creativity and festive cheer into your home. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the entire process of creating your own gingerbread house, from making the dough to decorating it with fun candies. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced baker, this step-by-step guide will help you create a charming gingerbread masterpiece.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies

Before you start baking, it's important to have all your ingredients and supplies ready. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Brown sugar
• Molasses
• Egg

Supplies:

• Gingerbread house template (available online)
• Rolling pin
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Royal icing (for assembly and decoration)
• Assorted candies for decoration

Step 2: Make the Gingerbread Dough

Creating the dough is the first major step in your gingerbread house-building adventure.

1. Mix Dry Ingredients:

   • In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar:

   • In another bowl, beat the unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add Molasses and Egg:

   • Mix in the molasses and egg until well combined.

4. Combine Mixtures:

   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

5. Chill the Dough:

   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps it firm up for rolling.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough

Once the dough has chilled, it's time to roll it out and cut your gingerbread pieces.

1. Prepare Your Workspace:

   • Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin.

2. Roll the Dough:

   • Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick.

3. Cut the Shapes:

   • Use your gingerbread house template to cut out the walls and roof pieces.

4. Transfer to Baking Sheets:

   • Place the cut pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Bake the Gingerbread

Now that your pieces are cut, it’s time to bake them.

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Bake the Dough:

   • Bake the gingerbread pieces for 10-12 minutes, or until they are firm and slightly darkened.

3. Cool Completely:

   • Allow the pieces to cool on a wire rack before assembly.

Step 5: Assemble the Gingerbread House

Once your gingerbread pieces are cool, it's time to put them together.

1. Prepare Royal Icing:

   • Make royal icing by whisking egg whites and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.

2. Start with the Base:

   • Use royal icing to attach the walls of the gingerbread house to a sturdy base (like a piece of cardboard).

3. Add the Roof:

   • Once the walls are stable, carefully add the roof pieces, securing them with more royal icing.

Step 6: Decorate Your Gingerbread House

The final and most fun step is decorating!

1. Choose Your Candies:

   • Gather a variety of candies, such as gumdrops, candy canes, and sprinkles.

2. Use Royal Icing to Adhere:

   • Use royal icing as glue to attach candies to your gingerbread house.

3. Get Creative:

   • Decorate your house creatively with different colors and patterns. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Conclusion

Congratulations on creating your own gingerbread house! This festive project is perfect for family gatherings and can be a fun activity with friends. Remember to have fun with the decorating process, as it's an opportunity to express your creativity. Once finished, display your gingerbread house proudly or enjoy it with loved ones. Happy baking!