We thought we would stray away from house updates during the holidays because we ourselves are taking a little break. The holidays are busy enough without having to meet with contractors.
We anticipate that this past weekend was a busy "baking weekend" for many of you. It was no different at our house. One project that we tackled was the yearly gingerbread house.
The first time we made this gingerbread house was in 2008. We got our inspiration from the Williams Sonoma Gingerbread House.
The first step was to make a pattern out of cardboard, and then trace that pattern onto our homemade gingerbread. We made enough for two houses and had some friends over to share in the fun. From start to finish it took about six hours to make all of the gingerbread. Now it is time to assemble!
Since there were no instructions we just had to go for it. We used royal icing as the glue for the entire gingerbread house.
It was also handy to have a soup can or two on hand to help hold up the walls as they set.
Now that is starting to look like a house! For the windows we used yellow construction paper. Next time I think we will draw some window grids on the paper.
We used cereal for roof tiles. This particular cereal was called "muffin tops" and was quite good! They actually taste like little blueberry muffins. We made some quick window shutters out of candy since our piping skills are not up to Martha Stewart standards.
The roof is starting to take shape. We are now about two hours into the assembly process.
Slowly we add the roof tiles one by one. This is when we start to think that the house is too big.
The roof is done and its time for landscaping. We made a few bushes for the front and back of the gingerbread house, as well as some potted plants.
Now the house is ready for candy and icing.
We added icing in the roof valley to give the appearance of snow. We also added ice cycles to add some character, but mostly to hide our errors. Like I said, we are amateurs.
Complete! We added some final touches with the red front door and welcome mat.
Again, we won't win any prizes from Martha Stewart, but I think this gingerbread house came out pretty darn close to our inspirational photograph.
If going through the 12 hour process of baking and decorating your own gingerbread house sounds like too much work, you can order one through the Williams Sonoma Catalog.
Wishing you success in all of your holiday baking!
Tonya and Rob
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