Don’t panic. I know exactly what you’re thinking. “Oh my god! It’s already the second week of December and I haven’t made a Gingerbread house yet!!” Wait, that isn’t what you are thinking? Well maybe you should be…

If that IS what you are thinking, pause. Take a deep breath. Now remember to exhale that breath. I have just what you need. An easy gingerbread recipe that you can make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen (and if you don’t they are easy to get) and will make a nice sturdy house.  You’ll also need a pattern for your gingerbread house; I liked this pattern from the BBC  (where I also adapted this recipe from) because it’s got a nice Swiss chalet look to it and it all fit on one page that you just print twice. Easy Peasy.

Because this dough gets a little tougher to work with as it cools, I’d highly recommend printing two copies of the template and cutting out the pieces BEFORE you do any cooking. Also you will want to have a craft or xacto knife handy for cutting out and trimming the pieces.

In a medium saucepan melt the butter, sugar and corn syrup (or molasses) over medium low heat. Because I used fresh ginger I add it to the liquids. If you are using powdered ground ginger, add it to the dry ingredients.

I used freshly ground ginger because it smells lovely and it’s abundant and cheap at groceries here.

While the butter sugar mixture is melting, in a large mixing bowl add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and, if you are using powdered ginger, add it now.  Mix well.

[Read more...]