COMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS:GINGERBREAD HOUSE WITH DARING BAKERS
HO HO HO… Come home to the Daring Bakers, to a wonderful, fragrant, sweet smelling holiday home.
The December 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to you by Anna of Very Small Anna and Y of Lemonpi. They chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ everywhere to bake and assemble a gingerbread house from scratch. They chose recipes from Good Housekeeping and from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book as the challenge recipes.
Something I would have never dreamt of making otherwise, though I longingly look at pictures in books and magazines…and blogs of course! It’s amazing the sort of energy that grabs you when push comes to shove, and you know you have to do ‘it’. In this case, I had to, and more importantly ‘wanted‘ to make this too.
The dough was not easy to manage. Kneading that huge amount of dough by hand took me forever and left me gasping for breath. In hindsight, I should have halved the portions as I still have some leftover in the fridge. That is also because I dreamt of making this huge castle, turret towers and the works. Thereafter, began looking at designs and dimensions, panicked big time, and downsized my dreams. Fell back to reality with a mighty thud and ended up with a rustic little cottage.
I scaled down a template I found online, and roughly drew sketches on a scrap of paper. Very abstract (cause of my panic), and in the end, very lucky. Had an impressed DH in the end who said I did a good job with the measurements.
I piped on royal icing in abstract patterns before finally gluing the house together. We don’t have beautiful Christmas candy, peppermint sticks etc available here like the West does, so I stuck to basics that I could do on my own. Made cookie dough snowflakes from a set on snowflake plunger cutters that Nic @ Cherrapeno got for me when I met her in London for the Food Blogger Connect a couple of weeks ago. They are lovely! Thanks a ton Nicole!
Putting the house together wasn’t a one man job for me. I engaged the services of the engineer on hand, and DH and me built together our sweet little house, patiently and with much fun. It’s a great family project and was a first ‘building a baked home’ for me. We were slightly under confident of the sugar glue, but woot, never seen firmer and more effective quick edible superglue than this!
In the end we were pretty pleased with our Gingerbread home. I wish I had put it on a better base but it was too late to change that. Once done the hub decided that it was definitely missing a chimney, so I set to make one sawing off extra bits of biscuit I had baked, and voila, there it was! The cookie dough was quite delicious too.
Thank you Y and Anna for an enriching, challenging and engaging project for December. We loved building our home again, and the kids cannot wait to have a chomp at it.
from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book by Beatrice Ojakangas
Y’s Recipe
(Half recipe would work fine for a small house. I got a lot of left over dough)
1 cup butter, room temperature [226g]
1 cup brown sugar, well packed [220g]
2 tablespoons cinnamon
4 teaspoons ground ginger
3 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ cup boiling water
5 cups all-purpose flour [875g]
Cut patterns for the house, making patterns for the roof, front walls, gabled walls, chimney and door out of cardboard.
[I rolled out the dough on a floured bench, roughly 1/8 inch thick (which allows for fact that the dough puffs a little when baked), cut required shapes and transferred these to the baking sheet. Any scraps I saved and rerolled at the end.]
Preheat the oven to 375’F (190’C). Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cookie dough feels firm.
Royal Icing:
(I made half this portion)
1 large egg white
3 cups (330g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon almond extract
Simple Syrup:
(I made half this portion)
2 cups (400g) sugar
Thank you Lis and Ivonne for holding this wonderful group of daring baker types of people together! Make sure you head over to other Daring Bakers homes HERE, and knock on their doors this Christmas.
Passionate About Baking has been nominated at ‘The Homies 2009’ in the Home Cooking category at ‘The Kitchen‘. If you like, you can vote HERE!
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
92 Comments
Angry Asian
leave it to you to have the cutest ever gingerbread house!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
Sweet and elegant at the same time! Love it, Deeba!!
Madhuli
Absolutely awesome….got the snowflakes plunger set for myself..now i know where to use it!
toontz
Beautiful job, Deeba!
Dharm
I panciked when I saw your post!! I just finished mine but havent done the right up… didnt realise we could post from 23-27!! Phew!
Your House looks just STUNNING!! Mine pales in comparison…
Have a great Christmas and sending much love your way!
purplehomes
Wow…its the cutest house i have ever seen…beautiful! Could you please tell me names of some good stores at Delhi/ Ggn that keep bakery supplies, raw material, molds, et al.
Chow and Chatter
wow awesome now if yu do heena the painting on this would be easy for you!!
love your blog so happy I came across it
Rebecca
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Your house is superb! isn't the posting date the 27th?
Cheers,
Rosa
Nachiketa
My virtual address should be at ure ginger bread house…. which even has a chimney…. it's so adorable…. love the way it lights up…..
What I love even more is how the household comes together to do stuff… 🙂
glamah16
Lucky you had an engineer hubby to help You did a fantastic job!
Lavi
Such a lovely home..Engineers help is appreciated.
Night effect looks Great!
zurin
lovely…i like the cracked effect. at first glance I thought it was deliberate…it looks beautiful!
Nags
that's gorgeous! especially love the "fence-y" backdrop! Merry xmas Deeba!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Deeba, this looks wonderful! Gingerbread houses are so pretty and I wish I'd signed up to Daring Bakers a month earlier so I could have done this challenge, whoever picked it, it was an inspired choice. I cannot wait to see all the others. I start my DB journey with whatever gets announced on Dec 27.
I must ask Nic where she got her snowflake cutter from, I noticed Mowie had used some in his pink iced cookies last week. I love how you've done a montage of houses in a row, it looks like a little village. Happy Christmas!
Jamie
Oh, Deeba, it is just beautiful and romantic! I love the piped decorations and the fun gingerbread men. Gorgeous work and thanks for all the tips! I love it! And lucky you for having DH help!
Mowie @ Mowielicious
Oh WOW Deeba! How gorgeous – I really love it. Especially the picture in the dark with the candle inside – so nice. Also love that snowflake cookie cutter – perfect!
I'd thought of making a gingerbread house myself this Christmas, but knew that with all the cookies I was going to be baking, it would be an impossible task. Can't wait to see all the other DB's.
Disha
Wow Deeba, That's a beautiful house! ! N the snowflake cutter is so cute! I'm sure a lot of hardwork went into all this! Great job!
Twinsy Rachel
awesome work deeba…… indeed a daring baker.. nice to hear that the aircraft engineer helped in engineering gingerbread house..Good team work 🙂 Snowflake cutter, wow!!!!! Season's greetings n Enjoy
twinsy
Bellini Valli
We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, laughter and many kitchen successes in the New Year.Such a fun project, and it turned out beautifully Deeba.
MeetaK
love it deeba! it looks elegant and so fantastic. great job my sweet friend!
Natashya Kitchen Puppies
That is AMAZING! I am packing my bags and preparing to move in. 🙂
shaz
Absolutely stunning Deeba! I really believe less is more when it comes to Gingerbread houses. Great work. Happy Holidays 🙂
diva
deeba, this DB challenge sure IS a challenge and blimey, have you pretty much breezed through it as I can see from the photographs. beautiful! and such a gorgeous piece of work. u're talented! Happy Christmas darling. x
La Table De Nana
So so cute!!!
Lily
I love this house! I especially like the picture where you light the house up. So gorgeous! Let me know when move in date is!
Merry Christmas!
Cirri
Very cute and elegant! Merry christmas!
Lauren
Fantastic Deeba! I love the house and everything about it! Your cutouts are just precious =D.
Winnie
You did a wonderful job on this- your gingerbread house is absolutely gorgeous. I love every single detail!
Nithya Praveen
Cutest Gingerbread house i have ever seen:).Looks wonderful Deeba.I am yet to post mine,it surely was a great challenge.You Have a fantastic blog out here….i loved reading each n every post of urs.You rock!
tonic
Gorgeous!! I love it illuminated, and the snowflakes are perfect!
kellypea
Spectacular photos! I love the series that make it appear as if you have an entire village. Truly wonderful. The design on the roof is lovely, and the heart shapes cut into the gingerbread men so quaint. Lucky you to have some help 🙂 If I'm lucky, I'll get to do this next week when all the hustle bustle is done. Thanks for the inspiration.
Junglefrog
O my god Deeba, that is such an amazing looking gingerbread house you made!! I love it! I also love the decorations you made; to be honest that beats my lame candy…lol… I should have know the microwave tip before I started rolling (smashing) down the dough…
Little Miss Cupcake
wow! that is an awesome house! i love the pic where it is lit from the inside and i am dying for a set of those snowflake cutters – they add such a pretty detail. bravo! happy holidays! x Cat
Anushruti
Its amazing how you keep your wonderful posts coming one after the other! This looks like a wonderful labour of love with a lot of efforts thrown in.
Ann
Marvelous! I especially love those cute snowflakes and the fence backdrop – brilliant job! we have the ready to assemble kits here, but even those can be daunting – and you guys did it from scratch! Bravo!
Jeanne
Beatiful! I love the simple color scheme and the snowflakes. It looks so warm and cozy when lit up!
Kitchen Butterfly
Fantastic assembly and photos….I've never made a gingerbread house in my life. My daughters musn't see this or I will be plagued with when can we…..
Jenny
Great work! I love your piping and your snowflakes.
Cakelaw
Your house is gorgoeus Deeba – the little people are a nice touch.
I also found the dough tough to knead – and almost impossible to roll out after chilling.
Merry Xmas to you and your family.
Soma
You have the ability to make everything look the best. Prettiest one.
Happy Holidays & Happy New year to you and your loved ones.
Barbara Bakes
Even your rustic house is elegant! How fun that hubs helped create it!
Dips
Awesome house Deeba !! I myself chickened out 🙁
maybe next time..yours is certainly inspiring..
Alexa
How magical! Very well done Deeba!
Sophie
Ooooh Deeba,
You did an amazing & fantastic job!! Waw!!
The house looks to lovely to eat,…but it must taste awesomely delicious!!
MMMMMMMMMMM,….all the way!
Natalie...
Wow your gingerbread house is amazingly pretty!! Great job on it!! You should be proud.
Merry Christmas 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
Just beautiful Deeba! I knew it would be though, it's impossible for you to not do beautiful work! 😀 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! xxx
Peter M
My, aren't you crafty…a gingerbread house – compleete with utilities and lighting!
Gera @ SweetsFoods
What a wonderful and magnificent creation!! A masterpiece 🙂
Merry Christmas and a Fantastic New Year 2010 for You!!
Cheers,
Gera
zurin
Deeba, I would just like to tell you that I had made a cake and decorated it with your famous scroll design and have blogged about it.Ive linked you. Just want to say thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas!
Parita
Wow Deeba ginger bread house looks fabulous!! So creative!!
Gloria
Dear Deeba, amazing gingerbread house look absolutely beauty and delicious!! Dear I want whish you a very happy Christmas with a really lovely New Years, I send you a big hug and kisses!! Love ya. Gloria
Rajani
deeba its turned out beautiful. a very merry christmas to you. love the snowflake cookie cutter!
Heavenly Housewife
Wow, that is so cool. Imagine if i could shrink myself and eat my way out of it. 😀
Happy holidays daaaaaaaahling
*kisses* HH
Helene
This is such a beautiful house Deeba. Happy Holidays!
Trissa
Gorgeous gingerbread house Deeba! I really like how you lit it up! Happy Holidays!
farida
wow, wow, wow! This is one of the most beautiful gingerbread houses I've ever seen! So professionally done. I skipped this month's challenge. It scared me to death:) Happy Holidays, Deeba!
chef_d
Wow, this has to be one of the prettiest gingerbread houses I have seen so far! Congratulations!
Y
Wow, you have fences. Fences! And your house has 'electricity'. Daaaamn! 🙂 Sorry you had a bit of a struggle with the dough. I think the total weight of flour should've been less, but it didn't occur to me when I tested the recipe, that it might not be right, as I strangely enough had no problems with it at all! x
Cynthia
Happy Holidays to you and the family. I have so enjoyed your outstanding work over the years and look forward to more!
Tight hugs.
Karen @ Citrus and Candy
Beautiful houses! And I love the smiles on the gingerbread men!
Zita
Love the snow flake cutters, too bad I didn't know that you're in London, wecould have met too, well … maybe next time. Happy Holiday to you and your family 🙂
meeso
Awwwww, so cute! Happy Holidays!
Jane
Deeba, your gingerbread house is just beautiful. I love all the details! One of the prettiest I've ever seen. Merry Christmas!
Baking Soda
I can so relate to the scary part of building a gingerbread house, yours came out lovely and elegant!
Have a wonderful Christmas,
Nicisme
That's awesome Deeba! What a lot of patience you have, and the snowflakes look brilliant.
Happy Christmas to you and all the family. Hope you had a wonderful day!
Jill
I love all the cute shapes and cut-outs on your house–so festive!! 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Sari
Love your gingerbread house Deeba! 🙂 The picture with the candle inside the house is beautiful and I really like the snowflakes, so cute!
Elra
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year! Much joy and sweetness to you and your family Deeba!
Stupendous Deeba!.
Now I wonder whether I should post my disastrous gingerbread house.
Gala
Definitely the house we daring bakers deserve!!
Donna-FFW
What a darling gingerbread house! I LOVE it! Happy, happy holidays to you!
Katrina
What a beautiful gingerbread house! Love that it looks so simple (without tons of candy everywhere), but also looks great!
Madame Sucre
My My My!!! what a creation you have made! .. You may as well be an architect Deeba!
Jo
Simply gorgeous and I love the house with the lights on. It is so romantic.
Natalie, aka "Sheltie Girl"
Fabulous job on your house! I love your white icing work.
Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go
RJ Flamingo
I think you did an awesome job! Your little cottage is adorable!
theUngourmet
Wow! Good for you for taking on this challenge and not giving up. I love all of the detail and the snowflakes are especially pretty!
Hope you had a nice holiday!
anna
Your house is sooo cute Deeba! I really love the cut-outs, and all that pretty icing. I don't know if even a castle would have been more magnificent!
Cathy @ ShowFoodChef
I always enjoy your spirit and talents and your G-House is wonderful! I love those cutter shapes and your designs are really striking. It was my first Gingerbread House and I really enjoyed it, too!
Aparna
Love, love your house, Deeba. Can see your scrolling's there too. Those snowflakes are so pretty too.
Yes, it was fun wasn't it?
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a very Happy New Year!
peasepudding
Gorgeous Deeba, love all the detail work on your gingerbread house.
Laura
I am so glad you were "pushed" into making this month's project because you did an amazing job. Your house is beautiful, I love the simplicity of the decorations, and the snowflakes.
I am going out shortly to get some powder sugar to finish my creation.
Cheers from Venice.
Su-yin @ Bread et Butter
I think you did a fantastic job on the house – and using only royal icing as well! I love the snowflakes as well, makes it even more festive. 🙂
Sue Sparks
I LOVE your house! It's beautiful, and I love it in the darkness all lit up! So pretty! The snowflakes are such a nice touch!
C
Gorgeous house! I love all of the detail in the piped frosting and the cut outs are just darling!
silverrock
Awww… your gingerbread house looks too cute to eat. Way to go on this month's challenge, you owned it! Hope you have more amazing bakes in the New Year!
Angela @ A Spoonful of Sugar
What a beautiful house, Deeba! It's so pretty all lit up at night. Congratulations on an amazing challenge this month, and best wishes for the New Year!!
Yasmeen
Beautiful masterpiece,Deeba 😀
Julia @ Mélanger
Deeba, your house is ADORABLE!
Jenny Tan
What a lovely gingerbread house! Happy 2010! 🙂
Lisa
Deeba, gorgeous house and spectacular piping! I can't pipe a squiggle, much less a straight line without a mess..LOL have a Happy New Year!
Susan/Wild Yeast
Wow, Deeba, this is so beautifully done! Happy New Year!
Jeanne
That's too adorable – I can almost smell the spices! And as always, your attention to detail leaves me speechless…