Gingerbread house

Tried yet another gingerbread recipe today and made it into a little house! My first ever :) I liked that this recipe required you to grind and mix your own spices (which included more than the usual cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg). I'd suggest doubling or even tripling the recipe if you want to make a larger house. This was only JUST enough for a small house.

Gingerbread by wholesome cook (how cute is the ice-cream idea too)

My version

Ingredients

Spice mix

5 tsp cinnamon powder
2 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp nutmeg powder
1 1/2 tsp cloves (I used whole ones but they were quite difficult to crush in the mortar&pestle so will use ground cloves in the future)
1 1/2 tsp cardamom seeds
1 tsp cilantro (coriander)
1 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp star anise seeds

1. Place all powdered spices in a small bowl.
2. Place all other whole spices and seeds into a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle and work until they become powdery.
3. Combine with the remaining spice powders and mix.

 Gingerbread cookie dough
250g plain flour
50g brown sugar
150g molasses
60g unsalted butter
1/2 egg (beat whole egg lightly then measure out half)
1/2 tsp bicarb soda
2 tbsp Gingerbread spice mix (above)


1.Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced. Line baking trays with baking paper.

2. Place butter, molasses, sugar and spice mix into a small saucepan and heat on low, stirring until the butter melts. Set aside to cool.

3. Sift flour and bicarb soda into a large bowl.

4. Add the cooled butter, sugar and spice mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until the mixture resembles large breadcrumbs.

5. Start working the dough with your hands until it has come together, take out onto a flat surface and knead until the dough is pliable and uniform in consistency.

6. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm and easier to handle - 15-30mins.

7. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes or elements of the house. I made templates with baking paper. Place on baking trays about 1cm apart.

8. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Cool on tray for 5 mins then transfer to cooling rack.

Royal Icing
1 egg white
1 C icing sugar

1. Combine in small bowl and beat until firm and glossy. Add colouring as desired.

Construction/decoration 
1. Pipe icing around the edges of the walls and put together. Use cans/cups/anything as support while it dries. Put in the fridge if possible to accelerate the drying process. Do the same for the roof once the sides are sturdy.

2. Decorate! I used nutri-grain shingles, freckles, candy canes, m&ms, mini marshmallows and dried cranberries. 

Verdict
I only tried a little but this is a very spicy and tasty gingerbread. Can't comment on texture really as I tried them while still piping hot.

Gingerbread houses are a lot of fun!! Hard work but perfect for when you're feeling a little bored during the holidays :)

Next up - choc-chip + cranberry cookies.