Gingerbread house day- Gingerbread recipe & Decorating tips

12/12/2021 (Permalink)

The Importance of Cooking Safely During the Holidays

No confection symbolizes the holidays quite like gingerbread. In its many forms, from edible gingerbread houses to candy-studded gingerbread men to spiced loaves of cake-like bread, this classic dessert is a must while celebrating holiday festivities. 

Attached below is a recipe that our family here at SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County wants to share with you to make at home this winter season. 

Prep: 1 hr 15 min 

Cook: 15 min 

Ingredients: 

-1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature

-1/2 cup dark brown sugar

-1/4 cup light molasses or dark corn syrup

-1 tablespoon cinnamon

-1 tablespoon ground ginger

-1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-2 cups all-purpose flour

-2 tablespoons water

For assemblage & decoration: 

-Melted white chocolate or Royal Icing, recipe follows

-Gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired

Royal icing: 

-1 pound (3-3/4 cups) powdered sugar, sifted if lumpy

-1 to 2 large egg whites, or substitute 4 teaspoons packaged egg whites and 1/4 cup water

-1 teaspoon almond extract, vanilla or lemon juice

Directions: 

1. Gingerbread House: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm. 
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
3. Cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template: Two rectangles, 3 by 5 inches, to make the front and back of the house. Two rectangles, 3 by 5 1/2 inches for the roof. Two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom. Four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2 by 1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway. And one piece, 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway. 
4. Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place. 
5. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm. 
6. Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet. 
7. Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened. 
8. Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes). 
9. Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house. 
10. Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired.

Here at SERVPRO, fire prevention is one of our main concerns. During the winter time, the number one cause of house fires is unattended cooking. It is extremely important to make sure that you stay in the room while you are cooking with a heat source. If you cannot stay in the room for the whole time, ask another adult in your family to watch over your food. When cooking food for long periods of time, use a timer so you don't lose track of time.

However, we know accidents happen so help prepare your house and family members in case of an emergency. By establishing a fire prevention and preparedness program, you can help avoid injuries to your family members and visitors and costly damages to your home. If there happens to be any sort of incident in your home, SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County is close by and ready to respond to your smoke and/or fire damage emergency. We are proud to be active members of the Charlotte community and strive to make our community the best it can be.

Happy holidays and happy safe baking! 

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