Recipe courtesy of Aaron Morgan
Gingerbread Recipe
- Total: 13 hr 30 min
- Prep: 3 hr 30 min
- Cook: 10 hr
Ingredients
2 sticks (8-ounces) butter
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup molasses
5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cold water
ROYAL ICING;
2 cups 10x sugar
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 egg whites
CANDY SUPPLIES:
10 rolls Necco Wafer, possibly more depending on number of houses
2 pounds chocolate covered raisins
1 pound hard candies, assorted colors
1 pound cinnamon red hots
2 bags mini-malted milkballs, coated in assorted colors
Assorted Christmas candies, your choice
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, on medium speed, cream together the butter, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt. Add the molasses, mixing until incorporated. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix each cup until just combined. With the mixer running, slowly add the water. Spread the dough out on a sheet pan, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until you're ready to roll it out (ideally overnight, three hours minimum).
- Keep gingerbread cool while working with it. Dust with flour to avoid sticking. Brush away excess flour after cutting.
- Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Apply even pressure on rolling pin to avoid variance in thickness. Cut out house pieces using your cardboard templates. A dough wheel works best. Use a paring knife for corners.
- Bake pieces in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until dough is set well. Crisp gingerbread is a must for a lasting structure. Allow pieces to cool completely before assembly-overnight is ideal. If pans are not level transfer warm pieces carefully onto the counter surface so they set completely flat.
ROYAL ICING;
- In the bowl of a mixer, blend the above ingredients together and mix on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Keep covered with a damp towel to prevent a crust from forming on the icing.
- ASSEMBLY FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSES: Windows should be decorated before assembly. Colored flow icing, crushed candies, melted leaf gelatin, marzipan, etc.
- Mix royal icing and keep covered with a damp towel. Assemble house on the a 12-inch round base of your choice. Start with a front piece and a side piece using royal icing liberally on the inside. The 2 pieces should stand without assistance. Assemble remaining pieces in the same fashion. Roof pieces may need support to counteract gravity, sugar boxes, soda cans work well.
CANDY SUPPLIES:
- Time to decorate your house. Necco wafers make excellent roof shingles. Chocolate covered raisins will build a chimney. Red hots, jelly beans, chocolate chips, gummi bears -- use your imagination in the candy aisle.
- Finish with royal icing and dust with snow-donut sugar looks best.