How to build a gingerbread house

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How to build a gingerbread house

Ready to build a gingerbread house? Don't worry. Today's kits take the hard part (baking) out of the equation and leave you with the fun part - building and decorating.

Ready to build a gingerbread house? Don't worry. Today's kits take the hard part (baking) out of the equation and leave you with the fun part - building and decorating. Follow these steps by Meridith Ford Goldman. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

To make this gingerbread house, here are some things you will need: Japanese or French chef's knife, paring knife, miniature icing spatula, miniature offset icing spatula, hand-held sifter, star tip, straight tip and piping bag or bags. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

For the house, I purchased these items (clockwise from top left), in addition to what came with my kit: jelly candy rings, white chocolate- or yogurt-covered pretzels, red cherry candies, decorator's sugar, jelly candy mint leaves, assorted dragees, gumdrops and assorted candied fruits (center). HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

1. Prepare the royal icing (see accompanying story for the recipe), which is what you should use for decorating and putting your cake together. Use a meringue powder instead of raw egg whites. There's an easy recipe inside the canister. It's best to make the icing a little looser (by adding a few drops more water) for two reasons - your icing will not dry too hard and it will be easier for little hands to pipe (see photo). Keep the icing covered HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

2. Spread a thick layer of icing on a piece of sturdy cardboard to lay an icing "foundation" for your house. This will help the house stick to the cardboard, and it will look like snow. Work quickly so that the icing doesn't dry out. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

3. To make a festive window, cut leaf-shaped spearmint jellies in half, then apply red dragees (available at craft or cake supply stores including Cake Art in Tucker) for a holly-and-ivy look. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

One of the best tips you'll use is to decorate the house (piping scrolls and adding window panes, etc.) while the piece to be decorated is laying flat. Also, make sure your pieces are dry and sturdy before lifting. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Using a sharp, pointed paring knife will help get those small balls where your fingers can't. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

I used graham crackers to create window shutters, applied with royal icing, then made shingles with Wheat Thin crackers. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

4. Now you can begin to put the house together. Make sure you pipe icing on the inside border of the house as well as the outside. (I use a star tip and a disposable pastry bag, which are included in some kits.) HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

5. For the roof pieces, I spread a "ledge" of snow around the bottom and side borders. Later, it will be covered in confectioner's sugar to look like snow. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

6. Once the sides have been put together, pipe a border down the top edges of the house to apply the roof. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

You may have to hold your pieces together for a few moments to ensure that they stay together. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Next, pipe a border down the center of the roof. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Place the second side of the roof on using the same technique, then repeat a thick border down the center of the roof to be sure it adheres. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

7. For the chimney, ice the pieces with royal icing, then dot the surface with bits of dried fruit. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

For the chimney, I used a tropical mix of mango, papaya and pineapple to create a cobblestone effect. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Apply the pieces to the roof with royal icing. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

8. Using a hand-held sifter, sift confectioner's sugar heavily over the "snow ledge" (created in step 5) and over any areas where you'd like a fresh look of snow. You can also use large crystal sugar (decorating sugar) in white or other colors to create a snowy look. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

9. After sifting, place cherry candies in the icing border along the edge of the roof. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

10. For an added effect, place a candy cane in two jelly candy rings, and create a lamp post by adding a gum drop to the tip. White chocolate or yogurt-covered pretzels can be used to create a fence. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

11. Enjoy your house! But place it away from where small hands and household pets might be tempted to damage it (my dog ate the one pictured here). HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

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Ready to build a gingerbread house? Don't worry. Today's kits take the hard part (baking) out of the equation and leave you with the fun part - building and decorating. Follow these steps by Meridith Ford Goldman. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

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