When I build a holiday gingerbread house, I’m always a tiny bit sad to have only one to decorate. I also dislike waiting for the frosting-glue to dry. Soooo impatient!
I’m solving problems all over the place: Just make the front!
These cute houses are perfect for little hands to decorate, or big-person creativity! How cute would these look lined up on a mantle?
Create your own shape or use the template below. (Print it out so it’s about 4-by-5-inches)
Gingerbread House Façades
Have just as much fun decorating the fronts of these individual cookies as a whole house. Easier to eat for sure!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for work surface
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 Gingerbread House Façade template see below
- 1 cup Royal Icing recipe graphic below
- 4 to 5 oz assorted candy
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves and pepper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light, about 2 min. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Add flour mixture; beat until a dough forms. Halve dough, wrap in plastic wrap, flatten into disks and chill until firm, about 45 min.
- Heat oven to 350ºF and place rack in center. Line two baking sheets with parchment. On a floured work surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using template and a small knife, cut out houses and transfer to prepared sheets. Bake until set, 7 to 9 min. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool 2 min. Transfer cookies to racks and let cool completely.
- Transfer 1 cup icing to a decorating bag fitted with a small plain tip (tip #3). Secure end of bag with a rubber band, squeezing out air. Decorate façades with icing and candy.
Notes
A great idea for a mantle display!
Nutrition
Calories: 3177kcalCarbohydrates: 528gProtein: 45gFat: 100gSaturated Fat: 60gCholesterol: 407mgSodium: 1971mgPotassium: 3248mgFiber: 13gSugar: 234gVitamin A: 3075IUCalcium: 651mgIron: 28mg
Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.
Royal Icing
This is the only royal icing recipe you'll ever need. Make it the consistency you need by adding more or less water.
Servings 2 Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Calories 912.79kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb confectioners' sugar 1 lb box
- 4 tbsp meringue powder or powdered egg white
Instructions
- In a bowl combine sugar and meringue powder and ¼ cup water. Beat on low speed (adding more water as needed), scraping down sides of bowl, to stiff peaks, about 5 min. (If not using immediately, store in an airtight container up to 3 days). Stir before using.
Notes
This type of icing dries out quickly (and if it dries out in your piping tip it's a mess to clean up), so cover your piping tips with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel even if you are setting them aside for just a few minutes. Keep containers of royal icing covered tightly as well. • Nutrition is calculated for 2 servings. Try my other Frosting and Icing recipes: • Lemon Royal Icing • Creamy Caramel Icing • Swiss Meringue Buttercream • Fluffy Vanilla Frosting
Nutrition
Calories: 912.79kcal | Carbohydrates: 226.9g | Protein: 6.49g | Sodium: 106.94mg | Potassium: 90mg | Sugar: 222.26g | Iron: 0.14mg
Recipe and Food Styling Tara Bench
Photography Ellie Miller
Prop Styling Renata Chaplynsky
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Recipe by Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes and food styling for magazines, books, television and advertising. Find out more about me!
Mary Bench says
These are so fun! Must try them.