We are all about getting the most from your home here at Geri Reilly Real Estate, so what if you could not only live in it but EAT IT, too! Gingerbread houses are usually reserved for Christmas festivities but a sweet Thanksgiving house of confection makes a great center piece that the kids can help make. Follow this simple recipe to "build the home of your dreams" - or the dreams of your sweet tooth, at least!
Gingerbread Walls
You can use pre-made gingerbread dough, or even pre-made gingerbread "walls" - to construct your home with. Check out a great recipe for making your own from scratch right here.
Royal Icing
Once that's done, it's time to make the icing "mortar" that keeps your house together. Again, you can purchase this but it's a lot more fun to make your own! To do this, simply blend ½ cup liquid egg whites (safer than raw eggs), 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until the icing forms stiff peaks. If this does not occur after about 6 minutes, add some more powdered sugar.
Feels like home! Sweet, delicious home!
Build Your Home
Now your icing is ready to go! Put a damp towel over the bowl icing if it starts to dry out while you're working with it. It is best to build your "home" over a sheet of wax paper to prevent sticking. Join the walls together by first drawing a thick line of icing on one end of the wall and then sticking the adjoining wall onto it. Seal them together with another layer of icing on the outside and inside of the two adjoined pieces. Repeat for all 4 walls and the roof.
Decorate
Once the house is constructed, it's time to decorate! Draw on windows , doors and shingles on the roof. Decorate with fall-themed colors and candies like orange and red decorative icing, candy corn, orange gum drops, leaf shaped cookies, Reese's pieces, and pumpkin shaped Mello Creams and jellies. Mini leaf shaped sprinkles look like fallen leaves on the ground. The possibilities are endless!
As fun to look at as to eat, a festive fall gingerbread house is an unexpected treat on your Thanksgiving table. Now when you're ready to build the real thing, or just want to show off your confectionary creation, get in touch with us!
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