{"id":5143,"date":"2015-12-22T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T14:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=5143"},"modified":"2015-11-02T22:08:12","modified_gmt":"2015-11-03T03:08:12","slug":"gingerbread-houses-christmas-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/gingerbread-houses-christmas-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"Gingerbread houses \u2013 Christmas tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>

Image of a gingerbread house by Carrie Stephens on Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.<\/p><\/div>\n

Making gingerbread houses is a Christmastime tradition in the United States (and other countries too). In the US, children often make small gingerbread houses in school, while at home some families make large, candy-covered gingerbread houses. There are even gingerbread house competitions this time of year, where people make elaborate and theme-based gingerbread houses.<\/p>\n

If you have never made a gingerbread house, here is your chance! Below I have a recipe for making gingerbread and the steps you will need to follow to make a gingerbread house. Note: Gingerbread houses are not made out of \u2018bread.\u2019 They are made out of something that is more like a cookie.<\/p>\n

If you want to see some pictures of amazing ginger bread house creations to inspire you, check out this link:
\nhttp:\/\/www.goodhousekeeping.com\/holidays\/christmas-ideas\/g344\/gingerbread-houses\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Gingerbread recipe<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/em>
\n6 cups flour
\n1\/2 teaspoon baking powder
\n4 teaspoons ground ginger (This is the ingredient that gives ginger<\/em>bread its name!)
\n4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
\n1\/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice
\n1\/2 teaspoon salt
\n12 Tablespoons soft butter
\n1 1\/2 cups brown sugar
\n2 large eggs
\n1 cup dark molasses
\n1 Tablespoon water<\/p>\n

Directions<\/em>
\n1.<\/strong> Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and salt) in a large bowl, set aside the bowl for later.
\n2.<\/strong> Use an electric mixer, to mix together butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Then add eggs, molasses, and water. Mix well.
\n3.<\/strong> Add half of the flour mixture to the molasses mixture slowly and mix well. Stir in the remaining flour mixture.
\n4.<\/strong> Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for at least two hours to harden.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> Create a gingerbread house pattern. You will need at least four walls and two roof pieces, but you can make something much more elaborate if you want to. Check out a pattern example here: http:\/\/www.instructables.com\/id\/How-to-create-gingerbread-houses\/step3\/Day-Three-Pt-1-House-Templates\/<\/a><\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> Take the dough out of the refrigerator and let it sit for 10 minutes before rolling it out and cutting out your pattern.
\n7.<\/strong> Roll out the dough (1\/4 inch or 6mm thick). Use plenty of flour to keep dough from sticking.
\n8.<\/strong> When you have finished cutting out your gingerbread house pieces you need to bake the dough on flat cookie sheet pans.<\/p>\n

9.<\/strong> Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F (180\u00b0C). Bake gingerbread pieces in oven (at 350\u00b0F \/ 180\u00b0C) for 10-15 minutes for the large pieces, 6-8 minutes for the small pieces. After cooking let cool for at least 15 minutes before building your house.<\/p>\n

10.<\/strong> Make icing to use as glue for holding your gingerbread house together.<\/p>\n

You will need:
\n2 large egg whites
\n2 2\/3 cup powdered sugar, divided<\/p>\n

Whisk together the egg whites and 1 1\/3 cups of the powdered sugar by hand then add the remaining 1 1\/3 cups of powdered sugar and use an electric mixer to beat icing on high speed until the icing is stiff.<\/p>\n

11.<\/strong> Put together your gingerbread house \u2013 carefully \u2013 they are usually fragile.
\n12.<\/strong> Use candy, icing, and other decorations to make your gingerbread house beautiful!<\/p>\n

Recipe from: www.simplyrecipes.com<\/a><\/p>\n

If you make a gingerbread house this year, please let me know how it turns out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Making gingerbread houses is a Christmastime tradition in the United States (and other countries too). In the US, children often make small gingerbread houses in school, while at home some families make large, candy-covered gingerbread houses. There are even gingerbread house competitions this time of year, where people make elaborate and theme-based gingerbread houses. If…<\/p>\n

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