Gingerbread House Day: Mumbai chef shares how to bake your own

Gingerbread house-making is a Christmastime ritual popular in many parts of the world

Surely, we're not the only ones who - after listening to the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel - dreamt of a house made of gingerbread, decorated with sprinkles and candies? For sugar-laced dreams like these, there's Gingerbread House Day that's celebrated in Europe and the USA on December 12, possibly as an ode to the tradition of crafting gingerbread houses that started in Germany in the 1800s. Now, gingerbread is synonymous with Christmas in India, too. Manpreet Dhody, co-founder at I'M Wholesome, a platform that curates hampers, platters, gourmet gifting and meals, points out that among the many reasons behind its popularity, is the fact that ginger helps increase the shelf-life of cookies and breads. "Gingerbread house also has references in Hansel & Gretel," explains Dhody, sharing how to bake a gingerbread house.

Gingerbread house (eggless)

Ingredients
For the dough:
>> 125 gm unsalted butter
>> 1/2 cup brown sugar
>> 2/3 cup golden syrup
>> 2 1/2 cup plain flour
>> 2 tsp ground ginger
>> 1 tsp baking soda

Manpreet Dhody

To add a gingerbread spice mix (optional):
>> 2 tbsp cinnamon, ground
>> 2 tbsp ginger, ground
>> 1 tbsp cloves, ground
>> 1 tbsp nutmeg, ground

Method
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, golden syrup, ginger powder, the spices and baking soda. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined. Sieve in flour slowly, and combine. Knead on a floured surface. If the dough is too soft, add some flour; refrigerate it. Roll out the dough to a five-mm thickness and cut into square and rectangular-shaped pieces to make the house, windows, and doors. Bake it on a cookie tray lined with baking paper. Cool on a wire rack. Start the assembly process by melting some white chocolate in the microwave in bursts of 30 seconds, and mix well until it's completely melted. Start sticking the pieces together by first building the side walls of the gingerbread house by dipping the cookies in the white chocolate, and then placing them slowly on a flat surface. Once done, place the roof. When your house is ready, let it dry. Start sticking small windows and a door in your desired shape. Garnish as desired with melted chocolate and sprinkles.

Decoration tip: Royal icing, candy canes and sugar candies are conventionally used to decorate the house but if you want to take a healthy route, use granola, nuts and dried fruits. You can also make a savoury gingerbread cookie or house by using some cream cheese as frosting.

Dough it yourself

>>Give your child a head-start in making their own gingerbread house with I'M Wholesome's DIY kit.
Log on to: @imwholesome.india on Instagram
Cost: Rs 1,650

>>Get your family together and make your own gingerbread house with Monèr's DIY kit.
Call: 7770014123
Cost: Rs 2,500

>> Take your kids to this session and let them express their creativity while decorating gingerbread houses.
On: December 12, 12.30 pm
At: JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Andheri
Log on to: @Kidsstoppress on Facebook
Cost: Rs 1,475

>> If your little one is interested in art, this DIY Jazz Your Gingerbread House is a great pick.
Log on to: natty.in
Cost: Rs 1,450