The aroma of warm gingerbread spices fills the air, a quintessential sign of the holiday season. This year, skip the elaborate gingerbread house construction and embrace the charm of adorable mini gingerbread houses! These bite-sized delights are perfect for holiday parties, gifts, or a fun family baking project. They're surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and offer a delicious, homemade twist on a classic holiday tradition. Get ready to create some magical mini gingerbread houses that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
Ingredients:
For the Gingerbread:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Royal Icing:
- 3 large egg whites
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
Instructions:
Making the Gingerbread:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This is easily done with an electric mixer.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to roll out.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use mini gingerbread house templates (easily found online and printable) or a sharp knife to cut out the house shapes (walls, roof pieces).
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the gingerbread pieces cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
Making the Royal Icing:
- Whip Egg Whites: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Add Sugar Gradually: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the cream of tartar and vanilla extract.
- Divide and Color: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring, if desired.
Assembling the Mini Gingerbread Houses:
- Apply Icing: Use a small amount of royal icing as glue to attach the walls to each other, forming the house structure. Let the icing set for a few minutes before adding the roof pieces.
- Decorate: Once the house is assembled, get creative with decorating! Use the royal icing to add details, candy, sprinkles, gumdrops, or anything else you can imagine.
Tips for Success:
- Don't Overbake: Overbaked gingerbread will be dry and brittle. Start checking for doneness at 8 minutes.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for easier handling and prevents spreading during baking.
- Consistency is Key: For the royal icing, make sure it's thick enough to hold its shape but still spreadable. Add more powdered sugar if needed.
- Get Creative: Have fun with the decorations! Use different candies, sprinkles, and icing colors to personalize your mini gingerbread houses.
Variations:
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the gingerbread dough for a spicy kick.
- Citrus Twist: Add the zest of an orange or lemon to the gingerbread dough for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Different Shapes: Instead of houses, cut the gingerbread into other fun holiday shapes like stars, trees, or snowmen.
Nutritional Information (per mini gingerbread house, approximate):
Calories: Around 150-200 (depending on decorations) Fat: 8-10g Sugar: 15-20g Protein: 2-3g
These mini gingerbread houses are a delicious and festive treat that's perfect for the holiday season. Enjoy the process of baking and decorating, and share the joy with friends and family. They are a wonderful addition to any holiday gathering, and a fun activity for all ages to enjoy!