Easy gingerbread house –
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Before we get into the fun of building your gingerbread house, make sure you have everything you need. Here’s what you’ll require:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step 2: Bake Your Gingerbread
First things first, let’s prep the gingerbread dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then, mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well-combined.
Step 3: Assemble the House Pieces
Next, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface. Use templates to cut pieces for your house, including walls and the roof.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cut pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden. Once baked, allow the gingerbread to cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 5: Decorate Your Gingerbread House
Now the fun really begins! You can use royal icing as glue to piece together your house. Feel free to get creative with decorations—think candy canes, gumdrops, and colorful sprinkles. Once your house is assembled, add finishing touches to make it uniquely yours.
Step 6: Display and Enjoy!
Finally, once everything is set and decorated, find a perfect spot to display your gorgeous gingerbread house. You can even unwrap some holiday treats to enjoy with your creation while admiring the joyful work you’ve done. Happy baking!