How to Build a Homemade Gingerbread House

Okay, so it's August and you're busy getting the kids ready to go back to school. You're probably also trying to stay cool. Christmas isn't anywhere in your mind. But it should be. It's right around the corner. December will be here before we know it! So, while you're lying around the pool drinking iced tea on a hot day, why not think some cool winter thoughts? Read this instructive article and learn how to build a homemade gingerbread house!

A Family Project
This a fun and decorative project you can do by yourself. Or, why not plan to build a gingerbread house during Christmas break when the kids or grandkids are home from school? After you take some pictures of the finished house, you can then have even more fun eating your delicious structure.

The Design
Basically a gingerbread house has four walls and a peaked roof. Cut out windows and a door finish off the simple design. The decorating, however, is entirely up to you. You can make it as plain or as elaborate as you choose. It's also up to you how large your homemade gingerbread house will be.

First Step- The Ingredients for the House
To make an average-sized gingerbread house, you'll need:

5 cups all-purpose flour
2 sticks butter - set out at room temperature to soften
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground ginger

Second Step- Mixing and Baking Instructions for the Gingerbread House
1. Mix together all the dry ingredients- except the sugars- in a mixing bowl.

2. Place the butter and brown and white sugars in a separate mixing bowl. Beat them together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Pour half the dry ingredients and half the water into the butter/sugar mix; mix well.

4. Add the remaining dry ingredients and water and mix well again.

5. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Cover two 10X15 inch cookie sheets with aluminum foil. Lightly grease and flour the foil.

7. Divide the Gingerbread House dough into two balls.

8. To build a homemade Gingerbread House, divide the dough into two pieces and roll each out on a lightly-floured work surface.