Spiced Gingerbread Village (Printable Version)
Create a charming gingerbread village with spiced dough, royal icing, and colorful candies for holiday fun.
# What You Need:
→ Gingerbread Dough
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
03 - 7 fl oz golden syrup or molasses
04 - 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
05 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
06 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cloves
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Royal Icing (for assembly & decoration)
11 - 2 large egg whites
12 - 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
→ Decorations
14 - Mixed candies (gumdrops, jelly beans, candy canes, chocolate buttons)
15 - Silver dragees, sprinkles, mini marshmallows
16 - Edible glitter or colored sugar (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line multiple large baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in golden syrup or molasses until fully combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
04 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture to form a stiff dough. Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
05 - On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use paper templates to cut out walls, roofs, and bases of the houses.
06 - Place cut pieces onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are firm. Transfer to racks to cool completely.
07 - Beat egg whites until foamy, then gradually add sifted powdered sugar and lemon juice. Continue beating until thick and glossy.
08 - Pipe royal icing along edges and join walls together. Hold until set, then attach roofs. Allow assembled houses to dry and firm for 30 to 60 minutes.
09 - Use royal icing to affix assorted candies and decorations. Let icing fully set before handling or displaying the village.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- There’s something magical about assembling edible houses that feels like sharing a warm secret with a friend.
- The blend of spices and the crunch of candy create a festive favorite you’ll look forward to every holiday.
02 -
- Chilling the dough before cutting is a game changer, making the pieces easier to handle and less prone to cracking.
- Royal icing dries surprisingly fast—cover it to prevent a crust when you’re not piping.
03 -
- Practice piping royal icing on parchment to steady your hand before the big assembly.
- Add a drop of clear vanilla extract to your royal icing to deepen the flavor subtly.