Is it the way baking gingerbread smells that kindles the
fondest of memories? Or is it the taste of melting gingerbread cookies dunked
into your morning coffee? Maybe it is just magic.You can create your own magic
with this larger than life Gingerbread Home, just in time for the holidays. Is it perfect? Maybe not. It can still be the center point of your holiday decorating and entertaining. Follow these steps and you can create fond memories with your own Home Sweet
Home for the holidays too.
This is what you will need to construct your
Gingerbread Home- Yep, you are a builder now.
Parchment Paper
Straight Edge
Knife
Scissors
Craft Paper
Pencil
Fast Drying Caulk
Gingerbread Recipe
House Pattern
Window Templates
Cardboard about 11” x 14”
Make your pattern on craft paper and cut one side, one
front/back and one roof with the above measurements.You will need to cut two sides, two roofs and two
front/back from gingerbread.Six pieces.
Download windows, door and dormer templates.
Gingerbread Recipe-
½ C. Molasses
¼ C. Sugar
3 Tbs. Butter
1 Tbs. Milk
2 C. Flour
½ Tsp. Baking Soda
½ Tsp. Cinnamon
½ Tsp. Ground Ginger
½ Tsp. Nutmeg
½ Tsp. Ground Cloves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will need approximately 6
batches.
Heat molasses just to the point it begins to boil. Add
sugar, butter and milk and combine. In a separate bowl stir flour, baking soda,
cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Stir into the warm molasses. You can add a couple drops of water if needed.
Roll the
gingerbread dough out on a clean surface with rolling pin.
When the dough is about ¼” thick transfer to parchment paper
and place on baking sheet.
Place paper pattern on top of rolled dough and cut.
Place window template on dough and cut windows.Do not worry
if they are not perfect cutouts.This
house will not have perfect even smooth sides either. It is a baked product, it
will be a little um, imperfect, but in a good way.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Repeat for second side, front, and dormers.
Cut out back. Make a little notch on the back at the bottom to run string
lights out.
With the leftover dough, I cut out shapes to later
decorate a Gingerbread Christmas Tree. No waste here.
Let the house pieces dry out for several days after they
have baked.
Cover your cardboard with paper. All homes need a good foundation.
We will be using caulk to glue the house together. That’s
right. What builder doesn't live on caulk. Gingerbread Houses are for admiring, not for eating. As soon as you
apply the caulk, the parts stick and hold together. No tears. Really.
Cut the tip off of the tube of caulk. Run a line of caulk
down the sides (on the back surface) of the house front. You can use a caulk
gun if you are handy that way.
Attach both sides to the front. This photo was takes seconds
after sticking the sides to the front. No hands. Really. Magic?
Attach the back. Let dry overnight.
Assemble your dormers with the caulk. Let dry overnight.
On the inside if your house run caulk on the bottom of all
sides (except openings) to secure to cardboard.
Add caulk to the dormers and attach to the roof. Let dry.
Run a bead of caulk on the sides and house front. Attach the roof to the house. I held this piece in place for a few minutes so it would not slip. Let dry overnight.
Add caulk to the last roof piece and attach to the house (I
held this piece in place for a few minutes too). Let dry overnight.
Time to decorate your Gingerbread Home! This is what you
will need-
Piping Recipe
Decorating Bag and # 4 Tip
Mod Podge
Clear Glitter
Small Paint Brush
LED String Lights
Piping Recipe-
2 Egg Whites
5 Cups Confectioner Sugar
2-3 Tbs. Water
Beat egg whites and blend into sugar. Add water. Place in
piping bag.
Outline windows, roof and door with piping. The caulk looks just like piped frosting.
After all the frosting has dried, dip your small
paint brush in the Mod Podge and carefully paint over the piped frosting or fill in gaps.
Sprinkle a little of the clear glitter for a just snowed effect. This will hide
all the little flaws or less than perfect seams. With care, shake off excess
glitter.
Through the notch in the back of house, thread the
lights into the house.
Glue and glitter front door. When dry, attach door with
caulk. Let dry.
This Gingerbread Home can spend the season gracing the foyer
table, dining room sideboard or just about any special spot to welcome family, friends and guests. Perfect backdrop for a family photo. Hope this house will create a little holiday magic and
fantastic memories for all who arrive at your door. No nibbling.
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