Ingredients

Gingerbread

• 1 recipe of ginger bread (see recipe index)
• 50g boiled lollies, broken up into pieces

Gingerbread House Template

• Front & Back of House: Triangle 8 1/2 inches or 22 cm each side (use thin cardboard, I use a ceral box)
• Side Panels of House: Rectangle 5 1/2 inches or 14 cm by 8 1/2 inches or 22 cm

Royal Icing

• 3 dried egg whites (reconstituted)
• 700g icing sugar
• or use a ready to mix royal icing mix

To Decorate

• 1 large cake board, at least 30cm square or round
• 500g ready made white icing (for the board)
• Use your own imagination with your choice of lollies to decorate the house: I use smarties, liquorice all-sorts, musk sticks, edible silver balls

Method

Gingerbread

1. Front Panels: Preheat an oven to 180°C. Divide the gingerbread dough into 4. Take one of the dough pieces and roll it between two sheets of non stick paper so that it is 4-5mm thick (parchment paper). Take the front of house panel templates and cut around it with a sharp knife so as to mark the outline onto the gingerbread. Remove the top sheet of non stick paper and cut the front panel out of the gingerbread (keep the bottom sheet uncut). Repeat this process with a second piece of dough, cutting out a second panel for the back. Cut a door out from the front panels (keep it in place for baking) and cut a small triangle out above the door for a window.
2. Side Panels: Roll out a third piece of gingerbread between non stick paper and cut out a side panel as you did for the front panels (cut a second side panel with the fourth piece of gingerbread dough).
3. Place the gingerbread with the parchment paper onto baking trays, fill the triangle window in the front panel with broken pieces of boiled lollies (don't overfill as they will melt over). Place the baking trays in the preheated oven. Cook the gingerbread for 10-12 minutes.
4. Remove the gingerbread from the oven and allow them to cool on wire racks. When cooled remove the parchment paper. Decorate the gingerbread or store it in a sealed container for 1 day before decorating.

Royal Icing

1. Reconstitute the dry egg whites with water using the instructions (it is best to use dry egg whites as they are safe at room temperature while fresh eggs are not). Mix the egg whites together lightly so they are combined. Sift a bit of the icing sugar at a time into the egg whites stirring it in each time. Beat the icing well until it is thick and glossy. Cover the icing with cling film.

To Assemble and Decorate

1. Dust a worktop with icing sugar. Roll out the premade icing so that it is large enough to cover the cake board. Cover the cake board with icing and trim the edges.
2. Place some royal icing in a piping bag. Remove the door from the front panel, pipe a circle for a wreath on the door, decorate with a smartie and some silver balls. Pipe icing on the base of the front triangle panel (the window should be at the top of the triangle). Place the triangle at the front of the iced board, with a tin supporting behind it. Pipe a layer of icing on one side edge of front panel and lean on one of the side panels for the side of the house. Pipe a layer of icing on the base edge of the back of the triangle and one side. Place it on the side panel, sealing it on the panel and board, you may need a second tin. Leave to set for 1-2 hours. Cover the icing with cling film and set aside
3. When the icing is set on the sides of the house. Remove the tin or tins from the house, place your families favourite sweets in the centre of the house. Pipe icing on the opposite edges of the triangle front and back panel and place the remaining side panel on the house, so stable and joined. Leave to set. Cover the royal icing.
4. When the icing is set on the sides of the house. Remove the tin or tins from the house, place your families favourite sweets in the centre of the house. Pipe icing on the opposite edges of the triangle front and back panel and place the remaining side panel on the house, so stable and joined. Leave to set. Cover the royal icing.
5. Pipe icing along all the joint edges and window of the house and decorate with lollies. I also like to decorate around the house, make a fence with liquorice all-sorts or musk sticks.
6. Place the gingerbread house in a prominent position in the house as a Christmas decoration. The house will keep for up to 2 weeks in a cool place. When ready break it open and eat!!!