A World of Gingerbread
This year, I'm busting a move and building a gingerbread house, a holiday project that I've always wanted to embark upon. Such an undertaking would not be complete without a dedicated construction crew, particularly those under the age of 10. I've sussed out two eligible engineers in Chicago, where I will travel next week to join them in building our masterpiece. The Gonzalez kids - Ruby and August - will be my brain trust, with their mom, Nancy "Crafty Lady" Gonzalez, at the design helm. Stay tuned next week for pictures of the construction site and spewing batter.
If you're curious about building a house of your own, there are a few books worth exploring, for recipes as well as cut-out templates:
"Great Gingerbread" by Sara Perry is like a one-stop gingerbread stop, with templates for a log cabin, plus details on five kinds of gingerbread, waffles, cookies, pudding - the whole gingery gamut.
If you want to get fancy, check out "Rose's Christmas Cookies" by Rose Levy Beranbaum, which includes templates for building an edible replica of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (bien sur). Beranbaum's book, like her many other baking references, is thorough and meticulous, complete with the full range of flour-sugar combinations that only appear in your sugarplum dreams.
And don't forget the old classic Better Homes & Gardens folks, who have a few Christmas cookies titles that include gingerbread house construction.
Gingerbread hotdogs, check out this opportunity to show off your building skills in a gingerbread house contest at the Hotel Monaco in Washington's Penn Quarter/MCI Center neighborhood. Beginning Dec. 12 (you've got six days to get started!), the hotel is accepting entries that will go on display in its lobby. A winner will be announced on Dec. 28.
Perhaps you're not ready to build to a shelter; after all, it took me ten years to say "I can" and it's anybody's guess if it will be habitable.
For those in the trepidation club, don't fret. There's a whole world of cut-out people to bake and eat instead. I love the smell, the crunch and the playful process of making gingerbread cut-outs. After some experimentation, I found a recipe for a reliable, forgiving dough that is roll-out friendly. It comes from by "Cookies Unlimited" by Nick Malgieri, a book I continue to turn to whenever I've got biscuits on the brain.
Dough scraps readily regroup and allow you to re-roll. If you find dough getting too soft, roll into a ball, cover with plastic and give it some chill time in the fridge.
Got a gingerbread recipe to share? Do so below in the comments area. I'm especially hungry for gingerbread in a square pan. Get your molasses engines ready . . .
By kimodo |
December 6, 2005; 10:46 AM ET
| Category:
31 Flavors of December
, Gingerbread
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Posted by: jules | December 6, 2005 01:57 PM
Fine Cooking #75 (Holiday edition) has a very nice gingerbread biscotti -- very nice departure from regular biscotti -- moister and a bit chewier if you like that sort of thing...which I do.
Posted by: AJ | December 6, 2005 02:39 PM
My friend just made these awesome, awesome, awesome chocolate chip peanut butter cookies and is wondering if a touch of fresh grated ginger would go well in the cookie recipe the next time he bakes a batch. I am not sure how it would taste ... thoughts anyone? How much fresh grated ginger would one add? 1 tsp?
Thanks so much for this blog. My mouth is watering just reading all the postings.
Posted by: Sunny Arizona | December 6, 2005 05:42 PM
Washington Post food section did Emily Dickinson's Black Cake about 5-6 years ago -- It's a wonderful fruit-cake, using dried fruit instead of candied. No nuts. I make this recipe every year.
Posted by: Betsy | December 6, 2005 05:59 PM
I've been using Nick Malgieri's gingerbread cookie recepie all season and it does work great...but it is missing something. Everyone agrees it needs a little more taste at the end. I can't figure out what. Is it cinnamon or nutmeg?
Posted by: Amy | December 7, 2005 11:42 AM
Bring your heaviest wool coat - it is unusually cold here for December!
Posted by: Margaret | December 7, 2005 05:00 PM
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I made a gingerbread house with a couple of friends years ago for a local charity auction. We had a blast (and made $600 for the charity). Just use your imagination with the decorating. Now I'm inspired to make one with the kids during that loooooong week between Christmas and New Year's.