Had ya didn’t I? Yeah…no. I wouldn’t of fallen for it either! 🙂 For more on the real creator (Barry Parsons) of this beautiful gingerbread “manor” click here.
The cold, hard reality: we are close kin of the Griswolds!! 😀 This is an update from my first post on making your own Gluten Free Gingerbread House.
In case you are wondering about the funny window on the middle of the top row, that is actually the door, we put it together upside down! Fitting, I think 🙂
I do not remember the last time that I laughed so hard I cried! Literally! I will admit that it was quite the challenge for me to put aside my “Type A” personality and just let the boys go for it. I am glad I did though, because “perfect” is not nearly as fun or memorable. The only decorating contribution I actually made was the walkway leading to the house!
The licorice you see is gluten-free and made by Candy Tree.
For the gingerbread recipe and the templates click here.
You will want to make Royal Icing to use as the “glue” for the gingerbread forms and the decorations.
Royal Icing (Wilton’s recipe)
3 Tbs. Meringue Powder
4 cups (1-lb.) Confectioners Sugar
6 Tbs. Warm Water
Food Coloring, if desired
- Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 minutes at low speed with a heavy-duty mixer, 10-12 minutes at high speed with a hand-held mixer).
NOTE: Keep all utensils completely grease-free for proper icing consistency.
* For stiffer icing, use 1 tablespoon less water.
**When using large countertop mixer or for stiffer icing, use 1 tablespoon less water.
Thinned Royal Icing: To thin for pouring, add 1 teaspoon water per cup of royal icing. Use grease-free spoon or spatula to stir slowly. Add 1/2 teaspoon water at a time until you reach proper consistency.
Gluten Free Giveaway
And the winner is Alice!
Alice will receive the “Simple Joys” prize pack which includes 2 packages of Betty Crocker Fruit-Flavored Snacks, a retro Pick `em Up Sticks game, a light-up yo-yo and a classic Frisbee.
Alice’s favorite games as a child were LIFE, Uno and Connect Four.
Congratulations Alice!
And welcome to my blog!
Whether you're here looking for advice on how to go gluten free (with delicious kid-approved recipes of course!), or to read some of the latest medical research on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity...or even to read about one woman's rise from the depths of gluten-free despair to a place of downright enthusiasm, it makes no matter. The point is, you are here now so let's have some fun!
oh wow so talented!
Michael
http://thegodscake.wordpress.com
Wow!!!! You had me with the first one! LOL!!
Seriously, though, very nice. 🙂 I need to do this with Hannah this year.
Kim,
It was such a blast and so easy! If I had known how easy it would be, I would have made my own years ago! Maybe I should do a contest to entice people to give it a try…maybe an "Ugly Gingerbread House contest." That way, one need not be embarrassed. The "uglier" the better! But anything made from the heart cannot be ugly. It is against the law of nature!
Heidi
Awesome project! 🙂 I'm excited about the GF licorice source too. 🙂 Haven't had any in many years.
Thanks Rebecca!
The licorice is pretty good, Sam just loves it and he likes to sneak into the movie theater when we go. I was never a big Twizzler fan so i really cannot compare and contrast the taste and texture myself. I think Candy Tree licorice tastes great (Cherry is Sam's fav.) but Mike (my husband) say they are harder and chewier than Twizzlers, but they are still good!
Heidi
i bet its lots of fun decorating the gingerbread house together as a family (: it looks amazing!
Cheryl,
Thank you! It was so much fun and surprisingly easy too. We put it in a special place and leave it as a decoration throughout the holiday season. I hope it will always be a fond memory for the boys. 🙂
🙂 I simply love your stories, Heidi. You had me with the first, but your actual house looks like it made for some great memories. Thank you for sharing!
SunnyB
http://www.andloveittoo.com
Heidi Callum saw this and said, "Can we make one today Mommy?" I'll be consulting you in a month when we make one for the first time! What will you use to "glue" it together this year? I've NEVER done this before…help me fellow glutadoodle.
Yea!!!! Well, that is a good question about the "glue." Last year I made a royal icing (which contains egg). However, this year I will be going egg-free since Luke was just diagnosed with an egg allergy a few days ago! 😀
I recently found this recipe: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/gingerbread_… so I plan on trying that.
If you happen to come across any other recipes between now and then, will you let me know? Glutadoodles Unite! 😉