Dandenong Leader, 3 Dec 2012
3 Dec 2012, Dandenong Leader Laura Trieste
DIY GINGERBREAD HOUSE
KIDS WILL LOVE THIS TASTY TREAT
ADDING a gingerbread house to your Christmas dinner table not only looks and tastes great, but is also a creative way to get into the festive spirit.
Classic Gingerbread House with red shutters
That Gingerbread Place owner Denise Derley said these tasty creations were increasingly becoming a Christmas ritual.
“It used to be putting up the Christmas tree was the tradition and now it’s the gingerbread house,” Ms Derley said.
The sky is the limit when it comes to how you decorate your house, but there are some basic rules to follow so everything stays in place.
Royal icing is used to stick the sides and roof together and add decorative pieces and snow.
It is made by placing two egg whites into a mixing bowl and adding three cups of sifted pure icing sugar. Mix on low speed until combined and then mix on high speed until white, shiny and fluffy.
“Icing is the most important part,” Ms Derley said.
“If the icing is too runny the walls won’t hold and if it is too stiff the walls won’t bind. “It needs to be like a meringue.” Once you have stuck the walls together you need to leave a 10-minute gap before putting on the roof so the icing has time to dry.
If you choose to make the gingerbread yourself, make sure the thickness is right – about ½cm.
How long you leave the gingerbread to rest depends on your preference of texture.
“When it is fresh it is quite crisp,” Ms Derley said.
“If you leave it a couple of weeks it will soften.”
If you’re worried about making a recipe from scratch, you can purchase a gingerbread house kit which will come with all the pieces, icing, equipment and instructions.
That Gingerbread Place offers one with no preservatives. For details go to thatgingerbreadplace.com.au For a full gingerbread house recipe including templates go to taste.com.au