Last year for Christmas we were in Cairo…this year Alexandria–not Egypt, but Virginia. As a result, last Christmas Eve, we promised to do next year’s Christmas BIG…well, not that big, but anything is bigger than last year. What a difference a year can make.
Check it out…I’m pretty pleased…but now I have more pressing things to do, like unpack our final shipment of furniture and such from Jordan that arrived yesterday.
Here are the steps:
1. I created a template from thin cardboard, fashioned after a picture of our house.
- The bay window on the third floor in my attempt at perspective.
2. Make the gingerbread dough. I used Martha Stewart’s recipe here. http://www.marthastewart.com/342245/molasses-gingerbread-cookies
This picture is really just to show off my new mixer.
3. Roll out the dough; place template pieces over dough to cut out shapes; bake.
4. Here’s my favorite part. I smashed up butterscotch candy to melt into the windows so that they would light up.
butterscotch candies
Place smashed candy into window and bake at 350 degrees, watching closely until melted.
Perfectly melted window
…and some more windows…
5. Assemble all of the pieces.
6. Assemble the house using royal icing as the glue. This step got a little dicey with no one to help hold the roof into place, resulting in a slight slope.
7. And the finished product…
Taken in full light…
…and in the dark, but with the flash you can barely tell there’s light behind the windows…
Side view of the Necco roofline
I cut out a square on the back of the house and placed a battery operate tea light like this one into the center to illuminate the stained butterscotch glass windows.
This is just fabulous! You have a perfect house to replicate in gingerbread. Love it! Merry christmas.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you!
Great pictures!
Thank you so much!
Should I be more impressed with the new mixer or the adorable replica of your house in gingerbread? I think I’ll go with the house. I really like the windows, the light and the necco roof. I’m impressed.
Mom
You should impressed by both mom….lol.
Great stuff! This looks so brilliant! =)
You’re too kind! Thank you!
beautiful:-)
Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
This is AMAZING! Great job. Now come do my house. Can u roll a few cars over in the yard???? lol!
Thanks you…lol!
So nice to see you posting again! Very impressive gingerbread house — the butterscotch windows are a winning touch.
Thank you so much! You’re too kind.
Love love love! This is stunning and my kind of craft (i.e.,, edible and sweet!). Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for visiting….xxx.
I love the butterscotch windows idea and the electric tea light- brilliant!
P.S. I’ve just nominated you for a blog award: http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/ Check out my latest blog post for more info: http://cupcakinglydeliciouscakediaries.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/food-stories-award/
Happy New Year! x
Thank you for the award nomination. I will certainly checkout your site.
You’re most welcome