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| A pretty little house |
I really had intended to make gingerbread from scratch, despite my last fiasco! However, when I was in Ikea recently, they had just received the first delivery of this years' gingerbread houses, too tempting by far! I bought several (and my lovely friend E. bought me several more!) When I got home decided to have a go at construction and decoration.
I decided to use caramel (melted sugar) to stick the sides and roof together. This worked very well. It set fast and appears to be very secure.
I made some royal icing and started to decorate the house, liberally with sweets. I am quite pleased with the result, and will donate a similar house to the school raffle.
I may also make some for friends, as they are great fun, and without the pressure of baking perfect gingerbread, I can concentrate on improving the decor!
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| Of course, my little girl ate the Father Christmas and Reindeer first! |
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| I was pleased with the sweets on the roof |
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| I'll have to think of something to make smoke from the chimney |
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| A bird's eye view |
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| Chocolate 'sticks' for the door |
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| It really does look pretty, though next time I need to do something with the windows |
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| Your right, I do need to perfect the icing, but the path is rather sweet! |
Oh wow, this house looks fantastic - would rather like this for myself! Buying ready made gingerbread is the way to go, I always seem to leave it too late to buy them, hence my Christmas List to get me more organised.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a beautiful Gingerbread house, the stuff that fairy stories are made of. I want to live in it!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic! Candy floss for smoke from the chimney?
ReplyDeleteOh I love it!!! I have never done one...and you know it is the decorating that is the fun..so I think I am going to go your way too!!! Ikea here I come!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, I was so pleased with the kit. They aren't expensive so I bought a few, then I'm not worried about breakages. As my little girl is on half term we may well do a Halloween one next week.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lucy, glad you like.
B, candy floss, what a great idea.
Miss Holly, it was such fun, and I did this one quite quickly. The next one will be better!
Brilliant idea. Takes all the difficult bit away and leaves you with the fun part. xx
ReplyDeleteoh wow, it looks adorable!... wish I lived nearer to an IKEA i'd love to have a go at this... and what excellent presents they will make!
ReplyDeleteLooks brillant, and I bet you enjoy working on it without the pressure.
ReplyDeletelove the idea of using caramel instead of royal icing to stick it together! looks fab! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a Halloween Gingerbread House. Can I steal it? Using caramel for sticking it together is a good idea, it's good to know that there are alternatives.
ReplyDeleteIT is PERFECT! And I must apologise for not getting back to you with my recipe and photos, they are on the external hard drive and I have been too busy to look for them, but I will, I promise! GREAT gingerbread house though!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Gorgeous! Are you going to wait until Christmas for the rest??? ;)
ReplyDeleteI would love to play Gretel to your house, it looks luscious.
ReplyDeleteSounds very sensible and a good idea on Ikea's part. It's all about the decoration and yours is amazing. I'm sure it will go down a storm in the school raffle.
ReplyDeleteThat is a genius idea - although I think I'll try baking one from scratch this year (maybe). May I offer a few suggestions?
ReplyDeleteSmoke = fairy floss (I think its called candy floss over here?)
Windows = if your baking from scratch then a use ground up boiled sweets but if using a pre fab house why not try some rice paper cut to look like curtains or if you are after window panes maybe some leaves of gelatine? You have to be careful how you attach both the rice paper and the gelatine sheets to the gingerbread though, both have a tendency to 'melt' with moisture.
Oh my goodness you have been busy! I thought I was the only one who started early, I am already done shopping, wrapping and have the boxes packed to ship.
ReplyDeleteI must go have a look at the details of these recipes, I have heard of mince pies but I have never made them.
You are correct, the magazines on my post were from England! I actually subscribe to several.
Thank you for coming over to visit.
Just wanted you to know I visit often but sometimes google won't let me comment. Who knows why...
Have a wonderful weekend!
Elizabeth
I think I'm due a visit to Ikea!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally adorable :)
Wow these photos are great. Looks super and well done on getting it to hold together! delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! It reminds of me of when I received a kit years ago from my Godmother.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the lovely comments. I made a Halloween one today- with my five year old! Such great fun!
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