Ingredients
Making a delicious extra large gingerbread house is easier than you think. To start, you will need the following ingredients: 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup packed dark brown sugar; 1 cup butter; 1 cup molasses; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Royal icing; and assorted candies, sprinkles, and decorations of your choice.
Instructions
To begin, sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the molasses, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Once the dough is chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thick and cut out your desired shapes. Place the shapes on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the gingerbread are lightly browned. Allow the gingerbread pieces to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the pieces are cooled, assemble the gingerbread house with royal icing. Pipe the icing along the edges of each piece and carefully press the pieces together. Allow the icing to dry and harden before decorating with candy, sprinkles, and other decorations. Finally, enjoy your delicious extra large gingerbread house!
Nutrition
This recipe yields 12 servings. One serving is equal to one slice of the gingerbread house. Each serving contains 495 calories, 20.9 grams of fat, 72.4 grams of carbohydrates, 2.6 grams of fiber, and 6.6 grams of protein.
Tips for Making Your Gingerbread House Extra Large
If you are looking to make an extra large gingerbread house, you may want to double the recipe. You can also use larger cookie cutters when cutting out the shapes. Another idea is to make two batches of dough and stack the pieces on top of each other to create a larger gingerbread house.
Tips for Decorating Your Gingerbread House
The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your gingerbread house. You can use candy, sprinkles, and other decorations to make your house one-of-a-kind. If you are running low on decorations, you can also use store-bought icing and candies to spruce up your house.
Storing Your Gingerbread House
You can store your gingerbread house at room temperature in an airtight container. Be sure to check the gingerbread house every few days to make sure that it is still in good condition. If you notice any signs of mold, discard the house immediately.
Serving Suggestions for Your Gingerbread House
Your extra large gingerbread house can be enjoyed as a delicious dessert or as an impressive centerpiece at a holiday gathering. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special treat. You can also pair it with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk.
Conclusion
Making a delicious extra large gingerbread house is a fun and creative way to get into the holiday spirit. With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a house that can be enjoyed by all. Plus, it's a great activity to do with friends and family!