The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Gingerbread House Recipe?

Bekkywiththegoodcrust's picture
Bekkywiththegoo...

Gingerbread House Recipe?

This is the year that I finally make a gingerbread house. Does anyone have a recipe that they recommend and any tips/tricks?  

The house has to last for a few weeks but also taste good (I prefer my gingerbread heavily spiced).  I realize I might be searching for a unicorn recipe.

I've searched the forum and looked online extensively, but thought I would ask the group directly.  Thanks!

suminandi's picture
suminandi

I've been building a cookie house/mansion/cathedral with my kids annually going on 20 years. We use "Lebkuchen" from "the Joy of Cooking", and love it for it's structural qualities - strong, not brittle, etc. Here's a photo of the recipe. For making houses, I omit the nuts and fruit. I only put the spices in a small subset of the overall baking (one batch, out of the several batches needed for a large structure). I have many tips based on many failures; feel free to message me.

Here is the build from Xmas 2020 (we live in Southern California, so we could display it outside for our friends to see)

Bekkywiththegoodcrust's picture
Bekkywiththegoo...

Suminandi, could you send me a PM? I want to pick your brain some more but I don't have PM rights.  Thanks!

suminandi's picture
suminandi

Across the top of the home page after you log in, there’s a button that is “Message”. Click that. Then you can view messages and compose them. 

 

idaveindy's picture
idaveindy

Just FYI, new members can't send private messages until approved by webmaster Floyd.  

I don't know about receving, and then replying to those received messages.

suminandi's picture
suminandi

I didn’t know that. I don’t remember having to ask for permission, but it’s been awhile. I sent a message to Bekky with contact info. Do you know if she’ll receive it?

thanks for caring:-)

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

first on double coregated cardboard.  This not only helps check size but one can plan placement for cutting, don't forget a base if one is desired.

Put cardboard together temporarily with small bits of tape to check the dementions.  Cut the gingerbread warm using the cardboard patterns.  When putting together I like to use 2"to 3" extra long corsage pins with pearl heads as nails (just insert enough of the pin to hold, about 1/2 inch) until the frosting sets in the joints.  To remove, twist first then gently pull out.  Count pins before starting and before decorating.  Remove all pins. Don't leave any pins in the house, choking hazard. 

Many pieces can be decorated letting the royal frosting set before putting house together. Cutting out windows and doors (if desired) should be done soon after cutting out wall shapes while baked dough is still warm and soft.  Metal ruler and exact o blade are favourite tools. 

Royal Icing:

3 egg whites.     1lb. Confectioners sugar.    1/2 tsp cream of tarter.

Beat thoroughly in mixing bowl until icing peaks.  Keep icing bowl covered at all times with a damp cloth.  Icing dries quickly and becomes very hard.  

suminandi's picture
suminandi

Somehow I knew you (Mini Oven) would have experience with gingerbread houses :-). Your advice was all spot on. Though I use rubberbands or children to hold pieces until set (instead of pins). 

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

partially open paper clips (engineer's "c" clamps) can also work.  I don't use pins when working with in a group. Most times I'm alone and set up a little production line by myself making dozens of tiny houses, some not much bigger than 4" high. My favourite themes are alpine houses with stone bases, balconies, shutters, snow covered flower boxes,  lots of snow, ice sickles and pine trees. Made a big gingerbread bus full of tourists one year for a travel shop window. It was fine until spring humidity came along and flattened the tires!  Lol!

The icing when mixed by hand will come out softer and more fluid for more snow like formations.  The more air beaten into the icing the whiter it will be.  Sprinkling medium to large sugar crystals on dough surfaces or on fresh icing can give a sparkle.  

The cathedral above looks fantastic!

 Don't know how complicated a gingerbread house is desired but easy to just start with a cardboard box or A-frame and embellish it.  Think about lights too.  Used to be the heat from lights or flame softened the roof, even with a hole in it, but these little LED tea lights are very handy to slip thru a window or door.  Cookie cutters are handy for windows and cut outs can make great bushes or stacked as trees.  

If you are after the gingerbread house from the Hanzel & Gretel story, there is no limit as to the candy and cookies that get stuck on the house as decoration.  Yikes!

suminandi's picture
suminandi

The Alpine houses sound delightful. :-) And the sugar sprinkling is a great idea. 

As you suggested, I assume Bekky will want to start with something simple like an A-frame and decorate with candy for the first go around. My kids year by year escalated their vision until we were building larger and more complicated things.

The windows of Chartres were made by placing crushed hard candy in a cutout and baking for a few minutes until it melted into a window. Placed on baking parchment to not stick to baking pan. When cool, piped with royal icing “ironwork”. The “copper” roof is just royal icing with dyed green. 

Bekkywiththegoodcrust's picture
Bekkywiththegoo...

Wow, thanks for all the great advice.  I can't wait to dive in (and share my result).  I'll be starting with an A frame this year but instead of candy, I'm thinking of using nuts, dried fruit, and herbs to decorate.  I'm hoping it gives a nice rustic vibe to complement with our woodsy Northern California house.

suminandi's picture
suminandi

Over the holidays?

Bekkywiththegoodcrust's picture
Bekkywiththegoo...

Unfortunately, no.  Right after I planned the whole thing out, our family got sick for 2 weeks and work got extremely busy.  I've saved all of your great advice for next year!  Thank you again for your generous advice.

suminandi's picture
suminandi

Bekky, Sorry to hear sickness impacted your holidays :-/. I’ll try to remember to nag you for a photo next winter :-)