It’s that time of year! My hubby grew up making real gingerbread houses every year right around his birthday (a December birthday for you!)
Our first few years of marriage we’d plan, make, roll out, cut out, and bake our own gingerbread creations. Wow! What a lot of work!
For a party of 17 girls, we decided pre-built “gingerbread” houses would be the {easier} way to go. Our pre-built “gingerbread” houses made of graham crackers and good old hot glue are simple to make and can easily be made ahead of time.
Each house started out of the same basic shape. 4 sides, and two pieces for the roofs. Then from there each house was made unique and given its own bit of character (my hubby is to thank for that!)
Make your Royal Icing (recipe below + here) right before you are ready to use it. Be sure and cover it with a damp cloth if you aren’t going to be using it right away to prevent it from drying out.
We put the finished icing in individual ziplock baggies; about 1/2 cup. We probably could have gotten by with just 1/4 a cup per house. Simply snip a corner off the baggie and squeeze the frosting out like a piping bag.
Royal Icing
- 3 Tbsp Meringue Powder
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 6 Tbsp of warm water
Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (about 7-10 minutes at a low speed with a heavy duty stand mixer.)
Cover with a damp cloth to prevent icing from hardening.
There are so many candies to make darling gingerbread decorations! Find a few here, here, and here
I think the best part is watching all the creativeness happen!
Happy gingerbread house building!
XO,
Carly
The Garden Spot 