Make your own Gingerbread House

Grand Hotel Marriott Resort

Updated: Wednesday, 18 Jul 2012, 7:01 AM CDT
Published : Thursday, 09 Dec 2010, 6:52 AM CST
Ingredients:
1 c Soft Butter
1-¾ c Brown Sugar
1-¼ c White Sugar
2T Molasses
6 Eggs
6 c All-Purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 T Ginger
1 T Cinnamon
¾ T Allspice
1 tsp Nutmeg
Before you get started, use cardboard or heavy poster board to draw out your house.  Then cut the pieces to create a template for your walls and roof. Test by taping the pieces together. If the cardboard house stands, it is a safe
bet that your gingerbread house will too.

• Front and back walls – (Base 5”, total height 9”)
• Roof – Two rectangles (11” X 7”)
• Side walls – Two rectangles (5“X 8”)

Icing Ingredients:
3 Large Egg Whites, (Room Temperature)
4 ¾ c Powdered Sugar
½ tsp cream of Tartar
Directions:
1. Spray non-stick spray onto baking sheets and pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Beat in the molasses and eggs.
3. In another bowl, sift dry ingredients. Gradually add the dry mixture to the molasses mixture and knead into a smooth ball. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. On a floured surface, roll out some of the dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Use the templates to cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheet. (Stained glass windows can be made from crushed hard candies. In the unbaked dough, cut the window hole and sprinkle in the candy pieces. Bake the candy chips with thegingerbread house to create a stained glass effect.
5. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Place on racks to let cool completely.
Instructions for Icing:
1. Place egg whites in bowl. Add cream of tartar.
2. Sift sugar directly onto egg whites. Beat 4 minutes with electric mixer on high speed. The mixture will thicken as you beat it and when finished should be the consistency of mashed potatoes.
3. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly over icing while using to prevent air from drying it. If icing becomes too firm, simply beat little water into it.
To Decorate:
1. Place the icing in a pastry bag and generously squeeze it in a 90 degree angle along your base. Place one side wall and the back wall in the icing and hold till it sets (approx. 15 minutes). Repeat with remaining walls.
2. Let the walls set for at least 30 minutes before attaching the roof.
3. Use the extra dough for chimneys, windows, doors, etc.
4. When house is thoroughly dry, any and all types of candies can be used for decoration. Just let your imagination run wild. Use the remaining icing to attach the candy decorations.
Curtsey the Grand Hotel Marriott, Point Clear
Grand Hotel Marriott
One Grand Boulevard
Point Clear, AL 36564
251-928-9201
www.marriottgrand.com