The last time I made a gingerbread house for Christmas was back in 2000 and it was a disaster. It was an extremely hot day and the icing just would not set and the roof kept sliding off. Eventually the whole thing collapsed and I told my then very small children that we would eat it as it was. They remember the collapsed gingerbread house to this day.
This year, after more than a decade of gingerbread house-free Christmases, I decided to try making one again. I discovered that the icing recipe I used the first time was probably no good as it was just icing sugar and lemon juice. This time I made royal icing (3 cups icing sugar beaten until stiff with 2 egg whites). Royal icing sets as hard as a rock. I also read that it helps to prop up the walls with canned goods when constructing the house.
Yesterday my daughter Emma drew up the template for the pieces on graph paper and last night I baked the gingerbread. This morning, with some trepidation, we constructed and decorated the cake.
It worked, fortunately, although next time I think I will make the roof line less steep. Then I won't have to stand propping up the roof while the icing holding it up sets.
Have you ever made a gingerbread house? Do you have any tips?
7 comments:
Amazingly beautiful Kate. I too am afraid of gingerbread houses...silly eh? Maybe we will have to give it a go here too. What recipe did you use for your gingerbread? (any suggestions)
Love the prop it with cans suggestions...though I have tons of little hands that would be willing to hold up a wall or a roof (or two).
bless your celebration ((hug))
Kimmie
mama to 8
one homemade and 7 adopted
We also had a gingerbread house collapse after hours of hard work. Of course the upside was that we got to eat it and yes, it still comes up every year. I'm hoping to try my hand at another house this year. I saw a clip on Martha Stewart and she used straight pins to help hold the stucture together while it set. I've done that way and it worked like a charm. I also think I will try to frost the walls before I put the house togehter. I'm decent with a piping bag, but for some reason trying to decorate vertically is a bit of a challenge :0)
Wow, all I can say is that it looks good enough to eat! It is fantastic!
Joolz
You have made a beautiful gingerbread house.
I make mine with a mould and it is so easy.
Let me know if you would like more information on them.
Jo
I'm in awe :)
wow! b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l
xoxo Nita <3
I've never done a gingerbread house and have not the inclination. Yours, however is beautiful!
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