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GINGERBREAD HOUSE - Recipes and ideas needed |
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posted 5-12-2009 @ 11:25 AM
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GINGERBREAD HOUSE - Recipes and ideas needed
I've every year said I was going to make a gingerbread ouse but I NEVER get around to it. The school is having a street stall at the xmas street party
in town.
So I was thinking I'd try to make 2 gingerbread houses for te event.
I have a kit so te sizes etc will be easy but am wondering about a recipe as I understand normal gingerbread isn't firm enough to build with.
Anyone got hints, tips and ideas?? |
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posted 5-12-2009 @ 11:27 AM
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heres one
Makes 1
EquipmentYou will need: Base - Plywood, heavy platter or chopping board; Cardboard cut-outs - Two 13cm x 19cm rectangles (roof), Two 11.5cm x 16cm
rectangles (side walls), Two 16cm x 19cm rectangles (front and back), each trimmed at 1 short end to form two 10cm-high gables; Decorations -
Raffaello balls, white choc melts, white choc bits, Allens ABC jubes, red M&Ms or Smarties, red and white licorice bullets, red jelly beans,
strawberry creams.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups self-raising flour
1 cup plain flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
185g butter, chopped
1/2 cup golden syrup
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup pure icing sugar
Royal icing
2 eggwhites, lightly beaten
3 cups pure icing sugar
Method
Combine flours, ginger, cinnamon, sugar and butter in a food processor. Process until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Whisk golden syrup and eggs
together in a jug. With the motor running, add egg mixture and process until dough just comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead
gently until smooth. Cut dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until well chilled.
Roll dough, 1 portion at a time, between 2 sheets baking paper until 5mm thick. Remove top layer baking paper. Using cardboard cut-outs as a guide,
cut shapes from dough (see tip). Place gingerbread in a single layer on trays. Freeze for 15 minutes or until firm.
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 4 baking trays with baking paper. Place gingerbread on trays. Bake, 2 trays at a time, for 15 minutes or until firm. Cool
on trays.
Make royal icing: Using an electric mixer, beat eggwhites until soft peaks form. Gradually add icing sugar, beating constantly until thick.
Use icing to join walls together, placing unopened cans of food to support walls until icing dries. Use icing to attach roof to walls, using cans to
support roof (to prevent it fom slipping off walls) until icing dries completely.
Spoon 1/2 cup remaining icing into a snap-lock bag. Trim 1 corner of bag and pipe windows and doors on house and frost on roof edges. Allow to dry.
Spoon remaining icing into snap-lock bag. Pipe a little icing on the back of each lolly and attach to house to decorate. Dust roof with icing sugar.
Notes & tips
This cute gingerbread house will keep for up to 1 week. Don't forget it's edible!
Tip: Before cutting gingerbread to size, make a test run with cardboard cut-outs to ensure pieces will fit together
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posted 5-12-2009 @ 11:31 AM
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another one here
http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=786438
& this one
Preparation Time 60 minutes
Cooking Time 60 minutes
Makes 1 house
Ingredients
Melted butter, to grease
250g butter, at room temperature
200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
250ml (1 cup) golden syrup
2 eggs, separated
750g (5 cups) plain flour
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
Plain flour, to dust
1 x 200g pkt fruit drops boiled lollies (Beattie's brand), finely chopped
300g (2 cups) pure icing sugar, sifted
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 x 200g pkts chocolate freckles
1 x 35g btl flower cake decorations (Cake Mate brand)
170g (2 cups) desiccated coconut
4-5 drops green liquid food colouring
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush 6 baking trays with melted butter to lightly grease. Use an electric beater to beat together the butter, sugar, golden
syrup and egg yolks in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Use your hands to bring
the dough together in the bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth.
Divide dough into 6 equal portions. To make a side wall, roll out 1 dough portion on a lightly floured surface until 5mm thick. Cut into a 15 x 24cm
rectangle and place on prepared tray. Use a small sharp knife to cut out three 4cm squares to create windows. Repeat with another dough portion to
make the other side wall. Sprinkle two-thirds of lollies in windows (they'll melt to make "stained-glass" windows). Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes,
swapping trays halfway through cooking, or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Set aside on the trays for 20 minutes to cool.
To make the back wall, roll out another dough portion until 5mm thick. Cut out a 16cm (base) x 15cm (sides) x 10cm (wall pitch) shape. Place on a
prepared tray. Use a small sharp knife to cut out two 4cm squares to create windows (make sure they're the same height as side-wall windows). Sprinkle
the remaining lollies in the windows. Repeat with another dough portion to make the front wall. Instead of windows, cut out a 4 x 8cm rectangle to
create the door. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, swapping trays halfway through cooking, or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Set aside
on the trays for 20 minutes to cool.
To make the roof, roll out another dough portion until 5mm thick. Cut into a 15 x 26cm rectangle. Place on a prepared tray. Repeat with remaining
dough portion. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, swapping trays halfway through cooking, or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Set aside on
the trays for 20 minutes to cool.
To decorate and assemble the house, place icing sugar in a bowl. Add lemon juice and stir in enough egg white to make a firm paste. Place half the
icing in a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface. Set aside until required. Spread icing on the chocolate side of freckles and arrange
on 2 roof pieces to create tiles. Set aside for 2 hours to set.
Meanwhile, place half the remaining icing in a piping bag fitted with a 2mm diameter plain nozzle. Pipe around the windows to create frames. Pipe a
small dot on backs of flower decorations and arrange over base of each wall panel. Set aside for 1 hour to set.
Place the remaining icing in a piping bag fitted with a 5mm-diameter fluted nozzle and pipe along the base and side of 1 wall panel. Stand on a square
40cm (base measurement) cake board, using a glass to support it. Repeat with the remaining panels to form the walls of the house. Set aside overnight
to set.
Pipe around top edges of walls. Attach the roof panels (place bamboo skewers under roof for support). Pipe along top of the roof. Set aside for 6
hours to set.
Place coconut in a plastic bag. Add food colouring and twist the opening to close. Shake the bag until coconut is evenly coated in food colouring.
Spread base of cake board with any remaining icing. Sprinkle with coconut. Set aside for at least 1 hour to set.
Notes & tips
You can make this gingerbread house to the end of step 4 up to 2 days ahead. Store in airtight containers out of direct sunlight. Assemble the house
(steps 5-7) 1 day ahead. Carry out steps 8-9, 7 hours ahead. You'll need 6 baking trays and a square 40cm (base measurement) cake board for this
recipe
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posted 5-12-2009 @ 11:38 AM
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and another one-lol
Gingerbread for biscuits, trees and houses
Degree of difficulty: Medium
You need:
Gingerbread
360 g Unsalted butter
420 g Caster sugar
600 g Golden syrup
2 Tsp Cinnamon
2 ½ Tsp Ground ginger
1 ½ Tsp Ground nutmeg
1 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Bi-Carb Soda
1240 g Plain flour
Royal Icing
2 Egg whites
400g Icing sugar (approximately)
Method:
Gingerbread.
Melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan over low heat. Stir Carefully until thoroughly incorporated.
Remove from heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Pour into electric mixing bowl.
Meanwhile sift the combined spices, salt and soda into the mix and stir well. Using the dough hook on the mixer, start adding the flour about 1 cup at
a time. Use a medium setting until well combined.
Remove from bowl, split the dough in half, wrap the excess in plastic wrap and put aside.
On a lightly floured surface roll the dough to about 8mm thick, use cookie cutters for festive shaped biscuits. If using the template cut out
carefully with a sharp knife, gently place on trays covered in baking paper at 180c for approximately 10-20 minutes, depending on the size.
Royal Icing
Lightly whisk the egg whites in a bowl, slowly whisk in the icing sugar to make a firm peaking icing. (It will look white and glossy).
Cover the surface of the icing with plastic wrap to prevent a crust forming.
Use the royal icing generously to construct the house or the tree, allow to set before using the remaining icing to attach sweets and decorate.
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posted 5-12-2009 @ 12:29 PM
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I know alot of the independent bakerys around us have the pieces which you can order (already cooked) and then put together and decorate it yourself.
For memory they weren't that expensive either. Lots of fun.
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 11:32 AM
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wish me luck going to cook te gingerbread thisafter noon so its ready to build my house a little later in the week. |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 04:05 PM
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good luck rica.
these are the houses I made last year.
1st one ever was lit up inside
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1237857&l=495a84a5bb&id=622068546 |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 04:30 PM
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You are so clever meandmum. How great do they look. I would love to have a go but do not think I am very good when it comes to cooking. That is a
really nice one Whitepointer. |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 04:32 PM
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I know my friend buys the kits from Aldi with everything included so all you have to do is put together. |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 04:34 PM
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Very cute meandmum ...I can only hope mine look half as good
Any tips you can pass on or things you wish you'd known before you started you've found out along the way? |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 04:51 PM
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I usually make one each year and I always think it's worth putting the walls together and leaving it to set well (at least 2 hours) before putting the
roof on. It's not essential but I always think it makes a stronger house and less likely for the roof to sag. Similarly, let the roof set before you
load all the lollies on top.
Also, depending what recipe you use, the smell of the gingerbread can be quite invasive so wrapping it up in cellophane can be a good idea too.
Good luck. |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 05:19 PM
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We bought ours at Ikea ready to assemble.. ( no allen key necessary)
Big tip. Must keep covered if you have evaporative air conditioning or your house will go soft.
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 05:27 PM
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RICA, I've got a recipe that works well if you need, but it looks like WP has the recipes well covered!!! You should bake it then leave it overnight (or
at least a few hours) to let it harden a little, before assembling. Once you've stuck the walls together, leave it several hours or overnight before
sticking the lollies on to make sure it's nice and sturdy. Also, make sure you use pure icing sugar for your icing, not the 'soft icing mixture'
sugar, to make sure you get a nice firm icing that holds the house together well.
Have fun! I've just finished one today for someone who ordered one for the kids to take to school tomorrow. I also ran a kids' class last year where
I made the gingerbread houses and assembled them then the kids came and decorated them - that was so much fun! Now my daughter reckons all her
friends are asking for it this year, so it looks like a yearly institution in this house! |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 06:02 PM
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I'm cheating and bought a kit from aldi, mines actually a train this year tho, can't wait to see Rylans face when I put it on the table |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 06:23 PM
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In the past I have made my own gingerbread houses, but to be honest for the last two years I have bought a gingerbread house 'kit' from Aldi also.
They have a house or train for $12-99. They are very easy to assemble, I usually put extra individually wrapped lollies inside it also and a few
jelly beans on the roof then dust all over with icing sugar to create a 'snow' effect - they look fantastic, I then wrap them up in cellophane paper
and tie curled ribbon around the top.
Good Luck |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 06:49 PM
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airhairlair has some great tips RICA, another is to attach skewers with icing to the underside of the roof. makes them stronger for the amount of
lollies they hold.
other than that, have fun |
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posted 6-12-2009 @ 07:24 PM
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CRAP!!!! Mine needs HELP!! My mixture is to dry ..are there any options of not?? |
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posted 8-12-2009 @ 09:59 PM
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How did you go Rica?
I did the whole trying to make the gingerbread from scratch, failed miserably
I then went and bought the kits So much easier. And then cos the kids loved
them I have done them for 3 years, its become a tradition, although it seems to be getting harder each year to find the kits.
And sorry to hijack, but on that note has anyone seen any kits in SA? Pref not Ikea, dont think my car will make it that far, lol. Im northern
suburbs. Alternatively, I wonder how much it would cost to ship one of those Aldi ones to over here? |
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posted 9-12-2009 @ 07:35 AM
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I've decided to make a Tim Tam house this year!! |
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posted 9-12-2009 @ 07:46 AM
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A tim tam house!! I'd like to see that - sounds more my style.
Wow, you are all so creative. I'm afraid I'm the sort to buy a pre-made gingerbread house. I love them, but it must be difficult. |
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posted 10-12-2009 @ 07:33 PM
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They looked AWSOME!!! I made 2 and they sold right away and I now have people asking if I can make them for them.
I'd be happy to make more cause I had so much fun but I got the kit from Aldi 3hrs away and won't be near again before christmas. So I was wondering
anyone know what places other than aldi sell them for reasonable price or online? I've had a quick look online but most are around$30ouch!! |
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posted 10-12-2009 @ 09:26 PM
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In other years Ive got them from target, last year from kmart. Still havent found any in either place this year |
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posted 10-12-2009 @ 09:55 PM
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Saw the kits for sale in Big W this week. |
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posted 21-12-2009 @ 08:22 PM
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For a few more have a look at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43060&id=100444678...
These were the Aldi kits. Wish I'd bought more I had HEAPS of people ask if I could make them for people to buy
The photos don't really do them justice but give you an idea. Good for a first attempt I thought |
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posted 21-12-2009 @ 08:34 PM
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wow Rica, no wonder you had heaps of orders - they look AWESOME - well done!! |
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