For rumtumtigger – Gingerbread House
December 19, 2011 in Baking, Christmas
rumtumtigger recently posted a recipe for gingerbread people and said she’s always dreamed of making a gingerbread house. A few years ago (OK, so having just checked the photo properties, I admit it was more than a few years ago … 2004, to be precise) I made a gingerbread house for my sons (who were, at that stage, still sweet & relatively-obedient non-teens).
After making this one, I swore I’d never make another!
The next Christmas, my brother decided to visit from Australia and, having missed the ‘one-and-only’, insisted that I make another gingerbread house for him to see.
I’ve now officially made TWO lifetimes’ worth of gingerbread houses and shouldn’t be expected to do this again for at least another 200 years!!!
I used the recipe and templates in the Australian Women’s Weekely ‘The Christmas Book’ (which has an abundance of wonderful recipes and creative ideas for Christmas). Despite rumtumtigger’s apprehensions, this is a pretty quick one to make, with the gingerbread being made only one day before assembling.
Three hints for making a gingerbread house:
- Glaze the cooked gingerbread pieces about 5 minutes after taking them out of the oven (combine 1 Tblspn castor sugar, 2 Tblspns water and 1/2 tspn gelatine in a small pan & stir over low heat until sugar & gelatine dissolve – don’t boil);
- “Glue” the house together with Royal Icing (see below) – this icing is also used to stick decorations to the house; and
- Don’t expect your whole amazing creation to be eaten … sadly, much of it ends up in the bin a week later!!
ROYAL ICING
2 egg whites
4 cups icing sugar (more or less), sifted
1/2 tspn lemon juice
Beat egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until just frothy then gradually beat in enough sifted icing sugar to form very stiff peaks, then stir in the lemon juice.
Cover the suface of the icing with a damp cloth to prevent it drying out whilst working.
If the icing is too thick, add more egg white, 1 teaspoonful at a time, until it’s the right texture.
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Sue Chef
Sous Chef said on December 19, 2011
I thought I told you NEVER to show me this photo again! Tis cruel of you……..explanation to everyone else, I made a gingerbread house and it collapsed and Blondie decided that a pic of her ‘perfect’ bloody gingerbread house would make me feel better! grrrrr
Blondie said on December 19, 2011
Oh, hell!! I REALLY hoped you wouldn’t spot this post! *Blondie heads off to Outer Siberia without stopping to pack*
browniegirl said on December 19, 2011
LOL!!!
Healthy Vegetarian Foods By Usha Singh said on December 19, 2011
Well done blondie it looks fantastice
Sous Chef said on December 19, 2011
I don’t think it looks that great myself! *wink*
Blondie said on December 19, 2011
Thanks, healthyveg … ignore Sue, she’s got gingerbread house issues!! *grin*
browniegirl said on December 19, 2011
Good grief! You made a whole gingerbread house by yourself? I’m well impressed….and I will ignore Sous Chef’s nasty comments. I think it’s brilliant! xx
Blondie said on December 19, 2011
I’ve got the T-shirt and don’t ever intend doing this again!! Thanks for the compliment (and for ignoring Sue’s chirps), you just made my day! *chuckle*
rumtumtigger said on December 20, 2011
Wow! this is beautiful. I do so love the addition of the caramello bears as characters. I can’t believe that most of this ends up in the bin though!? I wouldn’t have the heart. Well done. You did an awesome job ;o)
Blondie said on December 20, 2011
The kids flattened the sweets & a fair amount of the gingerbread … but they were ultimately beaten by the gingerbread, there’s just so much of it!!