Step 1: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps with the texture of the gingerbread. For best results, ensure your butter is truly at room temperature.
Step 2: Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined. The mixture might look a little curdled at first, but keep mixing until it's smooth. This is where the rich, dark color and signature flavor of your Gingerbread House Recipe really develop.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Make sure all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed to ensure consistent flavor throughout your Gingerbread House Recipe.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough gingerbread. The dough will be stiff.
Step 5: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling process is vital; it prevents the dough from spreading during baking and makes it much easier to roll and cut precise shapes for your Gingerbread House Recipe.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line several baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread house templates (printables are widely available online, or create your own with a sturdy paper like cardstock. You can store extra dough in Basics Glass Food Storage containers.) to cut out your house pieces. Carefully transfer the cut pieces to the prepared baking sheets. Reroll any scraps.
Step 7: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are firm and slightly darkened. The baking time will depend on the size and thickness of your pieces. Let the pieces cool completely on the baking sheets before handling, as they will be delicate when warm. For extra crispness, you can turn off the oven and leave them in for another 10-15 minutes as the oven cools down. This is a crucial step for a sturdy Gingerbread House Recipe.
Step 8: Prepare your royal icing. In a large bowl, beat egg whites with a hand mixer until foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Add a splash of lemon juice or vanilla extract for flavor. This icing is the 'glue' for your Gingerbread House Recipe, so consistency is key – it should be thick enough to hold its shape but still pipeable.
Step 9: Assemble your gingerbread house. Using the royal icing as 'mortar', carefully attach the walls to the base (a piece of cardboard covered in foil works well). Hold each piece in place for a minute or two until the icing sets. Allow the structure to dry completely, ideally overnight, before decorating.
Step 10: Decorate your Gingerbread House! Let your creativity shine with candies, sprinkles, pretzels, and more. Use royal icing to pipe details, attach decorations, and create snowdrifts. This is the fun part, especially if you're making this Gingerbread House Recipe with kids!