I’ve always avoided making a gingerbread house at Christmas – it’s always looked like an intimidating task undertaken by clever baking types who belong on the Great British Bake Off, not cack-handed freestylers like me!
But when the folks at Tesco Real Food offered to send me the ingredients and full instructions I felt like I should at least have a stab at it.
And here it is…
The Feeding Boys first attempt at making a Gingerbread House
Not bad. A bit wonky and due to the large amounts of ‘snow’ it took to stick the thing together it looks a bit weather beaten! But i’m quite proud of it and that it’s not (yet) caved in.
Sam, a child who shall remain nameless, took a cheeky bite out of one of the roof panels while it was unattended on the cooling rack. The smell of freshly baked gingerbread on his return from school was clearly too overpowering to resist. But luckily it didn’t interfere with the structural soundness of the build.
I had visions of the boys wanting to help me decorate it as we listened to Christmas music in the kitchen. The reality was Matthew was the most keen to stick on the sweets and help me figure out how on earth to get the walls to stick together – it’s as close to DIY as baking gets really.
The boys just popped their heads into the kitchen sporadically nicking the decorations – total sugar overdose.
Would I recommend the experience to others? Well it takes a couple of days – one to bake the gingerbread and let it cool and crisp up overnight. And a second to decorate and construct. You need to really WANT to make it – it’s not a spur of the moment thing!
But saying that I’d definitely be up for having another go next year and seeing if I can get any better at it.
Thanks to Tesco Real Food for providing me with the ingredients and you might be interested in this….
If you have a cooking crisis over Christmas then get on twitter and ask @TescoRealFood for help, A crack team of experts has been hired to rescue Brits from kitchen disasters as they prepare for their festive feasts. The team will be online 10am-8pm on Christmas Eve and 8am-4pm on Christmas day.
What a pretty house, with character and all the sweets any kid could ever wish for. I do like your multiple coloured tree lights in the background too!
hehe thanks Laura – yes it’s a bit sugar-tastic! The lights are new this year, VERY pleased with them 🙂
That looks great, I’m going to try & make one this week
x
Thanks! It’s worth the effort I think…
I love it! It’s an absolute beauty and bet it tastes delicious. Your post made me chuckle so much. I can SO see that little man sneak a bite out of your beautiful roof. Can you imagine if my double trouble were there too!! I’ve cheated this year and bought a kit that I’m planning to assemble with the boys on Christmas Eve… who knows how long it’ll last in our scoffer household.
hehe good luck putting yours together hun – we’re planning on demolishing ours on Christmas Eve – the sugar rush plus excitement should be a heady cocktail!!!!