We're sure you and the kids are no strangers to this craft, so why not send us your photos? One winner will be selected by our esteemed panel of judges: India Hicks (acclaimed designer and host of Top Design), Clare Crespo (cookbook author, and host of the YummyFun DVD series), and Jordan Ferney (author of Oh Happy Day and Nesting's very own entertaining blogger).
The makers of their favorite house will win all of our 25 favorite gifts under $25! Just be sure to submit your photos by midnight on Dec. 30.
And for instructions on how to make the beautys above from our December/January issue (plus recipes for the gingerbread and icing), click below.
Gingerbread Recipe
Makes enough for 1 big house with leftovers for gingerbread men,
women, and children
1 cup butter
1 3/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
6 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon allspice
1. Sift together the dry ingredients.
2. Cream the butter and sugar, add the molasses and eggs (one at a
time) and then mix in the dry ingredients.
3. Knead on a floured surface until dough forms a ball.
4. Divide into 4 equal parts, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 1-2
hours or overnight.
5. Preheat oven to 325.
6. Roll dough out on floured surface until 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut out the pieces for your structure:
brownstone,
ranch house, or
garage.
8. Place on parchment-lined cookie sheets, and bake for 10-15
minutes.
Stiff Royal Icing Recipe (for assembly)
Makes 2 cups
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 (16 oz box) powdered sugar
1. In a large bowl combine all ingredients.
2. Beat 7 minutes with an electric mixer until smooth and thick.
(Test by seeing whether a knife blade drawn through the icing
leaves a clean cut.)
3. Cover with plastic wrap whenever you are not using, because it
will dry out very quickly.
Decorating Icing Recipe (for coloring your
house)
Makes 1 cup
2 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup powdered sugar
1. Combine all ingredients and beat 1-2 minutes until smooth.
(Frosting should make very soft peaks.)
2. Use food coloring to tint to desired color.
3. If you want to color your house (like the green on the ranch
house) pipe the icing onto all the pieces and let dry 1-2 hours
before assembling.
To Assemble:
1. Put royal icing in a pastry bag and pipe along the edge where
two walls will meet.
2. Press walls together and hold for 30 seconds until frosting is
somewhat set. Then use cans from the pantry to hold up the
walls until the frosting dries completely (about 15-20
minutes).
3. Assemble the four walls of the house, and then attach the roof,
holding this in place a few minutes for it to set.
4. Let the house dry for at least an hour to make sure it is
completely set before applying decorations (candy, cookies,
pretzels, etc.).
5. Use leftover squares of gingerbread and chocolate bars to create
a porch.
To Make the Windows:
1. Preheat the oven to 250.
2. On a parchment-lined cookie sheet, place jolly ranchers,
starlight mints, pieces of candy cane, or other hard candies a
couple of inches apart.
3. Place in the oven, and watch closely as they melt. They will
take 2-5 minutes to spread out. When they are 1/8 thick, take them
out of the oven.
4. Let cool until translucent and attach with royal icing to the
inside wall of the house. (They will need to be slightly
bigger than the window you cut in the gingerbread.)
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