Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A Gingerbread (graham cracker) House




We have a family tradition of making gingerbread houses, and we've done ever since I was little, and now I get to do with my kids! This year was my first attempt and it was pretty dang easy! The first important step is to build the house. The best, easiest and none messy way we've found is to use burnt sugar. You make it just like it sounds. Put 3/4 cup of sugar in a pan, on medium, stirring frequently and eventually it will liquefy to a sticky syrup!




Then dip the edges in and build it to your hearts desire!







The next, and best step is the decorating! I just get my candy from Dollar Tree and it is in no way "chic" but doing it with my son was fun just the same!


Here is a recipe for the frosting. It's a cake decorating frosting and it's super yummy so be prepared! This recipe will make frost about 6 small houses.


2c shortening


2 1/2 lbs powder sugar (that's 10 cps)


1/2 c milk


1 tsp vanilla


dash salt


mix until a fluffy consistancy.



In honor of this post, I posted some professional houses I saw when I visited the Festival of Trees at the beginning of the month here in Utah. The trees are just trees to me, sometimes there are some amazing ones. But I'm always amazed at the gingerbread houses. Our neighbor builds one every year, his was the "UP" house this year. So creative! Maybe someday I'll bake real gingerbread and make one. Add that on my To Do list.


This one was just funny.







"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"





"UP"
Sorry, out of focus because I had to hurry, but you get the idea.








A cute little Bird House



There is always some big elaborate, over the top Castle, this one, was it. Who has time? Really? But it is amazing.











1 comment:

Becca Jo said...

my friend made the outhouse one. I loved the magazine in the potty. he he. I attempted a mini up house this year. it was lame.