When I was little one of my favorite things to do during the holidays was make a gingerbread house. Each December my Grandma Halstead would mail us a package. It would include sausages and cheeses for my parents and 3 little gingerbread house kits for my sister, brother and me. Sitting around the kitchen table trying to outdo the other's design and munching on candy we would have never of eaten otherwise is one of my best memories. It has always been important to me to carry on those traditions with my girls. But once I started buying more than one kit my little memory was turning into quite a holiday expense.
Last year we started a tradition of making our own houses from scratch and buying the candy we liked so we could continue as before. Many of my friends have decided I am completely crazy for doing this, but if you have more than 2 kids I think you're crazy not to. It's pretty simple so I thought I would share what I've learned. Keep in mind you'll probably want to plan on this taking 2 days, especially if you're making more than 2 houses. But the total cost of 4 houses was about $15, and we went crazy with the candy!
Step 1: Make the dough
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies-101-recipe/index.html
I doubled the recipe and got 3 full sizes houses and 1 smaller version. If you do double, make 2 batches, don't just add twice as much into your mixing bowl. I learned the hard way that it will not fit even in a 6 quart Kitchenaid mixer. If you do not have a stand mixer. Mix the wet ingredients with a hand mixer and then incorporate the dry with a wooden spoon and then just knead in the rest.
Divide the dough evenly into the number of houses you wish to make. Form into disks, wrap in plastic and let chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Step 2: Cutting the dough and baking
While the dough is chilling you can decide the shape of your house. I have always just done a normal rectangular house. This year my dimensions were 4 X 4 X 6. Just cut 1 template for the front and back, 1 for the sides, and 1 for each side of the roof. That way you know that each will be exactly the same size. Label the templates because after awhile the roof template will start looking a lot like the side template.
Sprinkle your counter with flour and roll out one disk at a time. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Lay the template on the dough and cut out your shapes with a sharp small knife. Run a thin metal offset spatula under the cut out and then move it to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Once it is on there you can cut out the door(s) and windows. This year we even added crushed lifesaver hard candies to melt inside the cut out windows. You will probably have to gather the scraps and roll out the dough 2 -3 times in order to get all the pieces cut for one house. Refrigerate the dough if it gets too warm or you won't be able to move it.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 9 minutes. If your pieces were a little thicker it may take a little longer. Once baked let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. While they are still warm put the template back on top to trim the edges to match exactly. Let cool completely on a rack.
Step 3: Building your house
Once your gingerbread walls are completely cool you can begin building your house. You can put the sides together with caramel or royal icing. I prefer icing. Mix together:
1 pound of powdered sugar
3 pasteurized egg whites
1 tsp of vanilla
If it seems too thick add more egg, and too thin more powdered sugar. If you have piping tips, add about half the icing to a piping bag to pipe onto the edges, if you don't you can use a knife.
For the base you can use a cake board or I just cut out the side of a shipping box and wrap in foil. Ice the bottom and all the sides together. If you need to, use a can to hold up the side until they dry. Just don't forget to remove the can before you put on the roof (happened last year!) Once the 4 walls dry a bit you can add the roof. Let the house dry completely before you decorate.
Step 4: Decorate your house
If you are still with me you are obviously very serious about making your own gingerbread house. Good for you. The fun is about to begin. I like to take my girls to the store and have them pick out the candy they would like. Just about anything goes. If you plan to eat the candy off the house, chocolate and small candies do not work so well though.
Cover the area you want to decorate with the remainder of your royal icing. Don't forget you can also decorate the board around the house. Let the little ones at it, and count your blessings.
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