Oma's Gingerbread House
My Mom used to come to the school and make gingerbread outhouses with the kids in our class. She did this for all three of us kids. She would use this recipe but would change the measurements a fair bit. It was awesome. This is the recipe that she has used for YEARS. I am not sure where she got the recipe from originally though.
My Mom used to come to the school and make gingerbread outhouses with the kids in our class. She did this for all three of us kids. She would use this recipe but would change the measurements a fair bit. It was awesome. This is the recipe that she has used for YEARS. I am not sure where she got the recipe from originally though.
- Carbohydrate 1483.82848382107 g
- Cholesterol 1367.01580031093 mg
- Fat 502.110467118748 g
- Fiber 17.8303996768277 g
- Protein 66.6240120023603 g
- Saturated Fat 315.342970274616 g
- Serving Size 1 1 house and a base (3212g)
- Sodium 4276.85870117836 mg
- Sugar 1465.99808414424 g
- Trans Fat 35.4116373083966 g
- Calories 10385 calories
Step-by-step
- Mix ingredients in order given.
- Flour liberally! It will start out a bit sticky. Just keep adding flour to your board and your rolling pin. Turn it often.
- Roll to a maximum thickness 1/4 (1 cm).
- Bake at 350 degrees F until brown and slightly crisp. It is hard to give a time for how long to bake. It depends on how many pieces you have on your sheet how thick they are etc. I found that they all needed a minimum of 8 minutes. And then I just kept checking every 3 minutes after that.
- Dust the flour off of the pieces after they have cooled. A pastry brush works well for this.
- Glue: Melt a fair amount of sugar in a large heavy pan over low heat. Mom used a cast iron pan. We started with about 2 cups of sugar and ended up adding about another cup. Keep stirring and waiting. You want the sugar to get to the point where it is almost a clear brown. Be careful though the glue burns BADLY if dripped on skin.
- Mom would simply dip the edge of the piece that she wanted to glue into the sugar and then press it with the other piece. When it cools it is VERY hard and holds very well. It does cool quickly though so work fast.
- For Icing: Beat egg whites until stiff. Slowly add in all of the icing sugar.
- To make cookies: Bake until lightly browned for soft cookies. Crisp cookies will keep better though.
- There is enough dough to make a house and a free form base to put your house on. Or you can simply make a bunch of cookies with the leftovers.
- Mom has some hand-drawn pictures of how to cut out the house. Here are her measurements and directions.
- Cut 2 side walls 7 x 4.
- Cut 2 roof panels 9 1/2 x 8.
- Cut 4 chimney pieces 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 (in two of them cut a 1 V into the bottom so that it will straddle the peak of the roof).
- Cut 2 end walls 6 x 9 (4 up the sides cut diagonally to the top center to make a point). In one end cut out door and two windows. Bake the door alongside.
- For the windows: Place foil underneath and fill with crushed lollipop. Bake as usual.
- Base: Simply roll out the leftover dough to make a free form base. Make sure that it is wide enough for the house.
- NOTE ABOUT CLEAN-UP: Don't fret! Your pan that you melted the sugar in is certainly not ruined! All you need to do is add some hot water, let sit for a little while (5-10 minutes) and then rinse it out. If for some reason that isn't quite working simply heat the pan full of water over low heat for a short while (again about 10 minutes).
Oma's Gingerbread House: A Family Tradition
The aroma of gingerbread always takes me back to my childhood. It’s a scent inextricably linked to the joyful chaos of my mom creating gingerbread houses with my classmates. Every year, for each of her three children, she transformed our school classroom into a winter wonderland of flour, sugar, and pure holiday magic. This wasn't just any gingerbread house kit; it was a labor of love, crafted from a treasured recipe she’d used for years. While I don't know its origins, I do know this: it's the recipe that holds the sweet memories of countless happy holidays.
The process was as much a part of the tradition as the final product. Watching my mom expertly roll out the dough, her hands moving with practiced ease, was mesmerizing. The scent of cinnamon and ginger filled the air, mingling with the excited chatter of the children. There was always a certain amount of controlled pandemonium. Flour dust coated everything, little hands were sticky, and laughter echoed through the room. But the sense of shared creation, of coming together to build something beautiful, was palpable. It wasn't just about the finished gingerbread house; it was about the experience, the memories made, and the love baked into every piece.
The gingerbread itself was more than just a sweet treat; it was a canvas for creativity. Each year, we'd create variations, experimenting with different designs and decorations. Sometimes, the houses were perfectly symmetrical, other times they were quirky and whimsical, reflecting the unique personalities of the children involved. The imperfections only added to their charm, each wonky wall or slightly lopsided roof telling a silent story of childhood ingenuity and shared laughter.
This recipe isn't just about baking a gingerbread house; it's about recreating that feeling of warmth, togetherness, and holiday spirit. It's about carrying on a tradition, passing down not only a recipe but also the memories and love that are baked into its very essence. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and prepare to be transported to a time of childhood wonder, filled with the sweet scent of gingerbread and the joy of creating something special. Each bite of this gingerbread house isn’t just a taste of the holidays; it’s a taste of home.
The process of making the gingerbread house itself is a rewarding experience. The careful measuring of ingredients, the satisfying feel of rolling out the dough, and the anticipation of seeing the house come together piece by piece are all part of the magic. And the final product, a stunning edible creation, is a testament to your efforts and a delightful centerpiece for your holiday celebrations.
Beyond the holiday season, this recipe is perfect for any occasion. Use it for birthdays, anniversaries, or even just a cozy afternoon of baking with family and friends. Its versatility means you can adjust the design to match any theme or occasion, letting your creativity shine through. Whether you follow Mom's exact instructions or adapt them to your own preferences, the result is sure to be a delicious and memorable treat.
Remember, the key to a successful gingerbread house isn't just following the recipe precisely, but infusing it with love and a touch of whimsy. Don’t be afraid to experiment, to make it your own. After all, the most important ingredient in any recipe is the memories you create while making it. So go ahead, gather your loved ones, and embark on this delicious adventure of baking Oma’s Gingerbread House. The sweet scent of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, combined with the joy of creation, will fill your home with warmth and holiday cheer.
The melting of the sugar to create the "glue" is a crucial step, and caution is advised. While the process itself might seem a little tricky, it’s actually quite simple. Be patient, and ensure the sugar melts evenly to achieve the perfect consistency. The resulting "glue" is incredibly strong, so you can rest assured that your house will stand proudly for many years to come. And if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation, Mom’s hot water trick always comes to the rescue.
The icing is equally important in bringing the gingerbread house to life. Fluffy and sweet, it creates the perfect canvas for further decorations. Feel free to add sprinkles, candies, or any other adornments to make your house truly unique. After all, the best gingerbread houses are those that reflect the personalities and tastes of those who built them. It's a chance to be creative, to let your imagination run wild, and to transform a simple recipe into a stunning work of edible art.
This recipe is more than just instructions; it's a journey through time, a taste of childhood memories, and a heartwarming tradition to share with your loved ones. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let the baking begin. The result will be far more than just a gingerbread house; it will be a cherished memory, baked with love, to be shared and savored for years to come.
