Gingerbread house?

[Wiggy]

For the last two years, we've had the tradition of making a gingerbread house. We've always bought the kits that have the sections of the house already made, but this year I want to try my hand at making it all myself. The problem is, I've never made gingerbread before... So, I was wondering if anyone had some experience at that and could give some tips on the materials needed and such.

I'm assuming that for structural integrity, you probably bake everything slightly different than you would for something that was meant to be eaten right away?

[Nephew Fred]

I made on from scratch years ago.
What was I thinking....
Walls are thicker on one side than another,One side is taller,they crack....
I do not mean to dissuade you,I just did not have the patience for such a venture.
It ended up being held together with toothpicks and cardboard.
Then the cat jumped on the table and licked it, till the roof sagged...
Good Luck and give yourself several days to make one.

[theedwin]

I have always wanted to try one myself, but not this year.... Probably not next year..... Hmm, maybe I will go with a "kit" and see how I do... :D

But I agree, from scratch is the way to go with a Gingerbread house!

Have you tried googling it?

[Sickie Ickie]

Larry and I were fooling around with an idea of making your own Gingerbread house for a contest next year. As I was going through my SP site recently to weed out the dead links, unfortunately a great link I had to free gingerbread house plans and tips is dead now.

[chris]

Im not so good at gingerbread houses! Definitely up for the challege again this year!

[Elvira]

Making it from scratch as opposed to a kit your house could be most incrediable and HUGE. I think its a fantastic idea. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[chris]

For the last two years, we've had the tradition of making a gingerbread house. We've always bought the kits that have the sections of the house already made, but this year I want to try my hand at making it all myself. The problem is, I've never made gingerbread before... So, I was wondering if anyone had some experience at that and could give some tips on the materials needed and such.

I'm assuming that for structural integrity, you probably bake everything slightly different than you would for something that was meant to be eaten right away?
Wiggy did I read the thread wrong? Are you talking about a Gingerbread prop?

[Wiggy]

Well, not really a prop, but a tiny gingerbread house that could be eaten... If you were really hungry that is! I don't plan on eating it, but I would like it to be made in the traditional way by baking the gingerbread sections and sticking it together and decorating with frosting and such.

In the end, it would be just an indoor decoration though.

[chris]

Well, not really a prop, but a tiny gingerbread house that could be eaten... If you were really hungry that is! I don't plan on eating it, but I would like it to be made in the traditional way by baking the gingerbread sections and sticking it together and decorating with frosting and such.

In the end, it would be just an indoor decoration though.
Cool thanks Wiggy! Im thinking we should post pics of are Gingerbread house! Hopefully I can keep the thing standing lol!:)

[Wiggy]

I'm thinking of starting off with a fairly small one as it should be more stable. Something like a gingerbread cottage rather than a gingerbread mansion. If the whole thing caves in, then we'll have a gingerbread amphitheater, lol!

The way I have it pictured in my mind right now is a basic "block" style house, about 8" tall and maybe 10" wide. I'll have to figure out something to use as a platform to set it on, and that will also double as the house's yard which would be easy enough to decorate. Things will probably change once I get around to actually doing it... But it's going to happen. Oh yeah, this is going to be the year!

[kimba]

Well, I'm no expert by any means but here's what I know:
The dough should be 1/4" thick.
Bake about 15 mins or until firm - but try not to let the edges brown. Parchment paper is your friend! Use it to line your baking sheets.
Make a template first out of cardboard - use that as a pattern to cut your dough before you bake it.
Make sure the baked gingerbread is completely cool before you begin construction (trust me on this one!).

That's it off the top of my head......if I think of anything else I'll post - or you can feel free to ask me anything. I'll do my best to answer.
Hope this helps!!!

[Sickie Ickie]

That's great advice Kimba. Have you done many before?

[kimba]

I've done quite a few - we (my kids and I ) make them every year.Each of us make our own -so we make 4 all together. I started making them about 10 years ago. My mother-in-law and I got together and made gingerbread houses with my kids and her kids (she has some the same age as mine!). It was there we learned what NOT to do!! LOL!

[chris]

Well, I'm no expert by any means but here's what I know:
The dough should be 1/4" thick.
Bake about 15 mins or until firm - but try not to let the edges brown. Parchment paper is your friend! Use it to line your baking sheets.
Make a template first out of cardboard - use that as a pattern to cut your dough before you bake it.
Make sure the baked gingerbread is completely cool before you begin construction (trust me on this one!).

That's it off the top of my head......if I think of anything else I'll post - or you can feel free to ask me anything. I'll do my best to answer.
Hope this helps!!!

Great info Kimba!!! I'm thinking maybe a how to towards Christmas time?idea: I'm going to need all the help I can get lol.:)

[kimba]

Great info Kimba!!! I'm thinking maybe a how to towards Christmas time?idea: I'm going to need all the help I can get lol.:)

I'd be happy to help in any way I can! Baking - especially Christmas baking is one of my passions!!!

[Sickie Ickie]

Sounds like you'll be one of the go-to people when we have our contest next year!

[chris]

Sounds like you'll be one of the go-to people when we have our contest next year!
:)Can we pick teams on this one?

[Sickie Ickie]

whoa! Still still multiple months on which to figure this contest out yet! LOL

[theedwin]

I like the TUT idea!

Kimba, when you make them (houses) this year, can you take lots of pictures? (and provide a recipe?)

[digbugsgirl]

I've made a "gingerbread" house out of graham crackers one year. Another year I made a log cabin out of pretzel rods. There are so many possibilities. I haven't made one in a while, but I'd like to find time to do a traditional gingerbread house this year.

[kimba]

I like the TUT idea!

Kimba, when you make them (houses) this year, can you take lots of pictures? (and provide a recipe?)

Of course!!! I'm actually going to start planning them out soon.

[Sickie Ickie]

I'm sure those interested in the Gingerbread contest next year will be following closely as well as the rest of the members!