Holiday (Gingerbread) Cookie House π
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours and 10 minutes
Description:
Crafting a delightful Holiday (Gingerbread) Cookie House is not only a festive endeavor but also a scrumptious one, perfect for engaging the little ones in a creative culinary project. With its charming appearance, this edible holiday decoration serves as a delightful centerpiece for any seasonal celebration. The prep time is customizable, allowing you to tailor the level of intricacy to your preferences and the enthusiasm of your decorating team.
Recipe Category: Dessert
Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Healthy, Kid Friendly, High In…, Christmas, Weeknight
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 4207.7
- Fat: 104.8g
- Saturated Fat: 62.3g
- Cholesterol: 492.2mg
- Sodium: 2152mg
- Carbohydrates: 701.8g
- Fiber: 29.2g
- Sugar: 414.2g
- Protein: 135.2g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 | Whole wheat flour |
| 1 1/4 | White flour |
| 1 1/2 | Cinnamon |
| 1 | Ground ginger |
| 1 | Ground nutmeg |
| 1/2 | Butter |
| 1/4 | Honey |
| 1/2 | Molasses |
| 1 | Egg |
| 2 | Cream of tartar |
| 1/2 | Honey |
| 1/4 | Vanilla |
| 2 | Instant nonfat dry milk powder |
Instructions:
-
Gather Your Tools: Before diving into the baking process, ensure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal. You’ll need a flat baking sheet, parchment paper or foil, lightweight cardboard, pencil, scissors, sharp knife, and a 9-inch square piece of heavy cardboard. Additionally, prepare a pastry bag with writing and star tips, as well as an assortment of candies, nuts, raisins, or other decorations for adorning your masterpiece.
-
Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, white flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg.
-
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy. Then, gradually beat in the honey, molasses, and egg until well combined.
-
Incorporate Dry Ingredients: With floured hands, gradually work the flour mixture into the moist ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
-
Roll Out the Dough: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and roll the chilled dough onto it. Return the sheet to the fridge for an additional hour.
-
Preheat the Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Cut Out the Pieces: Using the lightweight cardboard, trace outlines of the roof, front, back, and side pieces onto the rolled-out dough. Cut around these outlines with a sharp knife, making sure to create two pieces for each shape. Remove the excess dough between the pieces, which can be rolled out for additional cookies if desired.
-
Bake the Pieces: Place the cut-out pieces on a baking sheet and bake them on the middle shelf of the oven until the edges are slightly browned, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Once baked, remove the pieces from the oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.
-
Prepare the Decorator Frosting: In a bowl, beat together the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually beat in the honey, vanilla, and dry milk until the frosting reaches a stiff, glossy consistency.
-
Assemble the House: Transfer half of the frosting into a pastry bag fitted with a writing tip. Use this frosting to draw doors and windows on the cookie pieces. Line the edges of the pieces with frosting as you work, assembling the house and affixing it to the foil-covered heavy cardboard base. Hold each piece in place for approximately 2 minutes to allow the frosting to dry and secure the structure.
-
Decorate Your House: Add food coloring to the remaining frosting to tint it as desired for further decoration. Use this frosting to embellish the house with details like wreaths, curtains, and painted accents. For snowy effects, prepare a separate vanilla frosting by beating together egg whites, cream of tartar, honey, vanilla, and dry milk. Outline the joints and eaves of the house with this frosting, and create snowdrifts, walkways, and other wintry scenes around the house using the remaining frosting and candies or nuts.
-
Final Touches: Enhance the festive ambiance by adding additional decorative elements like a snowman or trees made from icing and candies. Let the assembled cookie house dry for a full 24 hours before displaying or serving.
Crafting a Holiday (Gingerbread) Cookie House is a delightful way to infuse the holiday season with creativity and sweetness, making cherished memories with loved ones as you construct and adorn your edible masterpiece. Enjoy the process and the delicious results! ππͺ
