“IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO TRY AND OUTDO LAST CHRISTMAS’, TO DO IT FOR FUN, OR TO OUTDO SOMEONE ELSE’S GINGERBREAD HOUSE. HERE ARE SOME TIPS AND TRICKS TO DO JUST THAT.” – LOGAN BERGMARK, 6TH GRADE
Gingerbread houses, a favorite holiday tradition for many. It is always fun to try and outdo last Christmas', to do it for fun, or to outdo someone else’s gingerbread house. Here are some tips and tricks to do just that.
What icing should you use for building? In her blog post, “How to build a gingerbread house that won’t fall apart,” Sara Chodosh has the answer. “Here’s the real problem with gingerbread house construction. Everyone wants to slap together a house and glue the pieces in place with the snow-white confection called royal icing, but that edible cement simply takes too long to dry. The traits that make it great for decoration—it’s flimsy and crumbly—do[es] not work so well for holding walls together."
Instead, Chodosh suggests using white chocolate or sturdy royal icing, and applying a lot on the inside to keep it together. And to get the right consistency, the post, “25 Gingerbread House Ideas,” suggests to keep the icing ready for being applied is to “place a damp cloth over your bowl of icing so that it will stay the right consistency for decorating and gluing.” This helps it not to dry too soon.
For decorating the gingerbread house, the post recommends using, “Candies that are big and showy, since they are perfect for making eye-catching gingerbread house displays without relying on piping skills and hours of intricate work.”
Along with tips from bakers, we have students' own suggestions. Winter Johnson, a 6th grader in Literary arts, states “My tip or trick is to shake the icing with a murderous intent.” Meaning to shake it hard once it is in the piping bag to get it ready to come out.
Pre-made, kits, or homemade gingerbread houses are all up to your preferences. Johnson says “There is usually a kit. I like kits, since I don't like pre-made stuff.” Mila Boyden, an 8th grader in Lit Arts, says, “It is usually homemade but we do use molds to shape it.” And Poppy Zaiger, an 8th grader in Lit Arts, says "I do premade."
Amara Deanes, a 6th grader in Literary Arts, says, “I don’t know, like usually you decorate [the gingerbread house], then build it.” That is it, have a great time!
What icing should you use for building? In her blog post, “How to build a gingerbread house that won’t fall apart,” Sara Chodosh has the answer. “Here’s the real problem with gingerbread house construction. Everyone wants to slap together a house and glue the pieces in place with the snow-white confection called royal icing, but that edible cement simply takes too long to dry. The traits that make it great for decoration—it’s flimsy and crumbly—do[es] not work so well for holding walls together."
Instead, Chodosh suggests using white chocolate or sturdy royal icing, and applying a lot on the inside to keep it together. And to get the right consistency, the post, “25 Gingerbread House Ideas,” suggests to keep the icing ready for being applied is to “place a damp cloth over your bowl of icing so that it will stay the right consistency for decorating and gluing.” This helps it not to dry too soon.
For decorating the gingerbread house, the post recommends using, “Candies that are big and showy, since they are perfect for making eye-catching gingerbread house displays without relying on piping skills and hours of intricate work.”
Along with tips from bakers, we have students' own suggestions. Winter Johnson, a 6th grader in Literary arts, states “My tip or trick is to shake the icing with a murderous intent.” Meaning to shake it hard once it is in the piping bag to get it ready to come out.
Pre-made, kits, or homemade gingerbread houses are all up to your preferences. Johnson says “There is usually a kit. I like kits, since I don't like pre-made stuff.” Mila Boyden, an 8th grader in Lit Arts, says, “It is usually homemade but we do use molds to shape it.” And Poppy Zaiger, an 8th grader in Lit Arts, says "I do premade."
Amara Deanes, a 6th grader in Literary Arts, says, “I don’t know, like usually you decorate [the gingerbread house], then build it.” That is it, have a great time!