Gingerbread House 2019

Gingerbread House – A Christmas Recipe Full of Stories

Christmas is fast approaching, and with it comes the tradition of building a gingerbread house. This recipe will not only bring joy to your heart but will also create a festive decoration in your home. Imagine your children or friends gathering around the table, with wide smiles on their faces, as they put their imaginations together to create a sweet masterpiece. Let’s begin our culinary journey!

Necessary Ingredients

For the dough:
- 250 g margarine or butter (preferably at room temperature)
- 3 eggs
- 200 g honey
- 2 tablespoons black cocoa (recommended Dr. Oetker)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (Dr. Oetker)
- 1 teaspoon spice mix (star anise, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom – Belbake brand)
- 500 g flour (you may need to add a bit more, depending on the dough consistency)
- 1 packet baking powder (Dr. Oetker)
- Fruit drops for windows (or other transparent candies)

For the icing and decoration:
- 1 egg white
- 110 g powdered vanilla sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 200 g white chocolate
- Natural food colorings (powder: orange and green)
- 1 tablespoon juice from red beet salad (for natural red)
- Sugar flakes and coconut, to taste
- Wafer rolls for decoration

Preparation Time
- Dough preparation time: 10 minutes
- Baking time: 10 minutes per tray
- Decorating time: 2 hours
- Drying time for the entire house: 24 hours
- Number of servings: 1 gingerbread house (enough to be admired and consumed)

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the dough
1. Start by grating the margarine or butter into a large bowl. This will help achieve a tender texture.
2. Add the eggs, honey, cocoa, spices, baking powder, and cornstarch. Mix well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
3. Start adding the sifted flour gradually, mixing continuously. It is important to check the dough's consistency; it should be soft but not sticky. Usually, about 400 g of flour is sufficient, but you can add up to 500 g if necessary.
4. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This dough is fragile, so handle it gently.

Step 2: Creating the pieces for the house
1. Divide the dough into several pieces, depending on the parts you need (front, side walls, back, and roof).
2. Sprinkle flour on the work surface and roll out the first sheet of dough to an appropriate thickness (about 0.5 cm).
3. Create a template on a piece of paper for each part of the house and cut them out. Place each template over the dough and use a sharp knife to cut the pieces.
4. Use broken drops to create the "windows" of the house. Be careful when cutting the pieces; those with windows are more fragile and need to be handled with care.

Step 3: Baking the pieces
1. Place the cut pieces on a tray lined with baking paper.
2. Bake at 180 °C for about 10 minutes, or until they become slightly firm. Be careful not to leave them too long, as they can become too dry and crack.
3. After baking, let the pieces cool in the tray for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a plate or rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Icing and decorating
1. In a clean bowl, beat the egg white with a mixer until it becomes frothy. Add the lemon juice and powdered vanilla sugar, mixing until you get a firm icing.
2. Fill a piping bag with the white icing and coat the edges of the house pieces to stick them together. It’s a good idea to have someone help you with this process.
3. Support the walls of the house with tall glasses to keep them in position until the icing hardens.
4. Once you have added the roof, you can use a toothpick to pierce the pieces and tie them together with string, making the house more stable. After the icing has hardened, remove the string.

Step 5: Final decoration
1. If you want to add colors, divide the white chocolate into two bowls and mix with natural colorings to achieve the desired shades.
2. Use the colored chocolate to decorate the house and give it a festive look. You can use sugar flakes or coconut flakes to create a snow effect.
3. Decorating is a moment of creativity, so feel free to encourage your children or friends to express their imagination.

Useful Tips
- Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before starting, so you don’t have to interrupt yourself along the way.
- The air in the kitchen should be dry; steam or humidity can affect the dough, making it sticky.
- If you want to add a personal touch, you can include small marzipan figures or cinnamon sticks for a rustic look.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use other spices?
Yes, you can experiment with your favorite spices, such as vanilla or nutmeg, to add a unique flavor.

2. How can I preserve the gingerbread house?
Once you have finished decorating, keep it in a cool, dry place. The gingerbread house can last for a few weeks, but it is recommended to consume it as soon as possible.

3. What drinks pair well with gingerbread?
Hot chocolate or mulled wine can perfectly complement your sweet treat. Additionally, a flavored tea could be a wonderful choice.

Conclusion
Building a gingerbread house is more than just a recipe; it is a family experience, a Christmas memory. I hope this captivating recipe brings you joy and inspiration in your holiday cooking. Remember, every house is unique, and your story will intertwine with those around you. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

 Ingredients: For the small house: 250 g Unirea margarine; 3 eggs, 200 g honey, 2 tablespoons Dr. Oetker black cocoa, 1 teaspoon Dr. Oetker corn starch, 1 teaspoon Belbake spice mix (star anise, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom), 500 g flour, 1 packet Dr. Oetker baking powder, fruit drops for windows. For decoration: 1 egg white, 110 g vanilla powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 200 g white chocolate, natural food coloring powders: orange and green, 1 tablespoon juice from red beet salad, sugar flakes to taste, coconut flakes to taste, decoration drops, wafer rolls.