Festive Gingerbread Cottage
Get ready to unleash your creativity with this Festive Gingerbread Cottage recipe! Perfect for holiday gatherings, this charming gingerbread house is not only a delightful treat but also a wonderful centerpiece for your festivities. Made with a blend of warm spices and a rich molasses flavor, this gingerbread is easy to assemble and even easier to decorate. Gather your loved ones, let your imaginations run wild, and share the joy of building your own personalized gingerbread cottage, adorned with colorful candies and icing!
1
Servings
1650
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
shortening
1/2 cup (softened)
sugar
1/4 cup (granulated)
brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
molasses
1/2 cup (unsulfured)
cold water
2 tablespoons (chilled)
ginger
1 teaspoon (ground)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
allspice
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
flour
3 1/4 cups (all-purpose, divided)
egg whites
3 (room temperature)
cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon (for stabilization)
confectioners' sugar
16 ounces (for icing)
assorted candy sprinkles
to taste (for decoration)
icing
to taste (for decoration)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking sheets with non-stick spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and cold water. Mix until well blended.
3
Add the ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and 2 1/4 cups of the flour to the mixture. Stir until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour until the dough becomes firm, similar to Play-Doh.
4
Lightly flour your gingerbread mold. Take half of the dough and press it evenly into the mold using a rolling pin, ensuring the dough is firmly packed. Remove excess dough and set it aside. Carefully remove the molded pieces from the mold.
5
On a baking sheet, place the shaped gingerbread pieces, plain side down, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until firm. Allow them to cool completely.
6
To prepare the icing, place egg whites in a clean bowl and measure in the cream of tartar. Using an electric mixer, beat on low speed until foamy, then gradually add confectioners' sugar. Increase speed to high and beat for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.
7
When the gingerbread pieces are cooled, begin assembling your cottage. Cover a sturdy board with foil or decorative paper.
8
Start by icing the edges of the front end piece and attaching one side wall to create an 'L' shape. Hold until set. Repeat with the back end piece and the other side wall.
9
Joining both 'L' shaped sections, apply icing along the edges where they meet, then gently press them together to form the complete house structure. Reinforce with extra icing on the inside edges.
10
Seal the top perimeter of the house with icing and gently press the roof panels into place, securing them together with icing at the peak.
11
Add your chimney by applying icing to the back and pressing it into position.
12
Let the house set for 30 minutes to allow the icing to harden.
13
Finally, unleash your creativity by decorating the gingerbread house with icing, candy, and sprinkles as desired!
Nutrition Information
40g
Fat
350g
Carbs
4g
Protein
160g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Festive Gingerbread Cottage?
The Festive Gingerbread Cottage is a charming holiday house made from a spiced molasses dough, perfect for family decorating and as a festive centerpiece.
What are the primary flavors in this gingerbread recipe?
The recipe features a rich blend of warm spices including ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice, combined with the deep flavor of unsulfured molasses.
Is this recipe suitable for a specific diet?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as a Low Protein dessert.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How many calories are in the entire gingerbread cottage?
The complete gingerbread cottage contains approximately 1650 calories.
What should the consistency of the dough be like?
The dough should be firm and easy to handle, similar to the consistency of Play-Doh.
What ingredients are needed for the royal icing?
The icing requires three room temperature egg whites, half a teaspoon of cream of tartar, and 16 ounces of confectioners' sugar.
Why is cream of tartar used in the icing recipe?
Cream of tartar is used as a stabilizing agent to help the icing reach and maintain stiff peaks.
How long should I beat the icing for?
You should beat the icing on high speed for 5 to 7 minutes until stiff peaks form.
How should the baking sheets be prepared?
The baking sheets should be prepared with non-stick spray to ensure the gingerbread pieces can be removed easily.
How do I use a gingerbread mold for this recipe?
Lightly flour the mold, press half the dough into it firmly using a rolling pin, remove excess dough, and then carefully remove the molded pieces.
How long do the gingerbread pieces need to bake?
The pieces should bake for 20 to 25 minutes until they are firm.
Can I assemble the cottage while the pieces are warm?
No, you must allow the gingerbread pieces to cool completely before beginning the assembly process.
What is the best way to start assembling the walls?
Start by icing the edges of the front piece and attaching a side wall to create an L shape, then repeat with the back piece and the other side.
How do I join the two L-shaped wall sections?
Apply icing along the edges where the two sections meet and gently press them together to form the square house structure.
How can I reinforce the cottage's structure?
You can reinforce the house by applying extra icing along the inside edges of the joints.
When do I attach the roof panels?
Seal the top perimeter of the wall structure with icing first, then gently press the roof panels into place and secure them at the peak with more icing.
How is the chimney added to the cottage?
Apply icing to the back of the chimney piece and press it into position on the roof or side of the house as desired.
How long does the icing take to set before decorating?
Let the assembled house sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the icing to harden and the structure to become stable.
What kind of candies can be used for decoration?
You can use assorted candy sprinkles, colorful hard candies, or any other decorative sweets as desired.
What kind of flour is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 and 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour.
Should the water used in the dough be hot or cold?
The recipe specifically requires 2 tablespoons of cold water.
Can I use granulated sugar for the icing?
No, the icing requires confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar) to achieve the necessary smooth, stiff consistency.
What kind of shortening is recommended?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of softened shortening for the dough.
Is this a good project for children?
Yes, building and decorating the cottage is a wonderful family activity that encourages creativity.
How much molasses is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses.
What should I use as a base for the gingerbread house?
Use a sturdy board covered with foil or decorative paper to support the weight of the cottage.
What total amount of sugar is used in the dough?
The dough uses 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
How many servings does one cottage provide?
The recipe is designed as a single decorative unit, though it is edible.
What are the fat and carbohydrate counts for this recipe?
The total cottage contains 40g of fat and 350g of carbohydrates.