Spiced Citrus Gingerbread House

Name: Spiced Citrus Gingerbread House
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 12 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 3/4 cup molasses; 1 large egg; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tbsp orange zest; 1 tbsp lemon zest; 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger; Royal Icing: 4 cups powdered sugar; 3 large egg whites; 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

🕒 Prep: 1 hour

🔥 Cook: 12 min

🍽 Serves: 8

★★★★★

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Welcome to the delightful world of homemade gingerbread houses! This Spiced Citrus Gingerbread House recipe combines the cozy warmth of traditional spices with a refreshing citrus twist. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a fun family project, this is a gingerbread house you’ll want to admire — and eat!

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Ingredients for Spiced Citrus Gingerbread House

Butter is the foundation of our dough, adding richness and flavor while helping create a sturdy structure. Sugar sweetens and aids in creating a firm texture, while molasses provides that distinctive, deep gingerbread flavor. Egg acts as a binder, ensuring the dough holds together well. The combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves infuses the dough with warmth and spice. A hint of orange zest and lemon zest brightens the flavor profile, and freshly grated ginger adds a fresh, spicy kick. Finally, royal icing made from powdered sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar acts as both glue and decoration.

Tips & Tricks

If you find the dough too sticky, dust your hands and rolling pin with flour.
To prevent the dough from spreading too much, chill it again after cutting into shapes before baking.
Use canned food as supports to hold the gingerbread house walls in place until the icing sets.

Serving Suggestions

This gingerbread house is a showstopper centerpiece for your holiday dessert table. Pair it with spiced hot chocolate or a warm citrus punch to complement the flavors. For a festive touch, serve with a side of fresh orange slices or a light citrus salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?: Yes, you can prepare the dough up to two days in advance. Just keep it wrapped in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
What can I use if I don't have cream of tartar?: Lemon juice can be a substitute for cream of tartar in the royal icing, although it might slightly alter the taste.

Spiced Citrus Gingerbread House Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream together your butter and sugar in a large bowl until you get a light, fluffy texture. This part is key for a smooth dough. Next, beat in the egg, molasses, and both your orange and lemon zest, along with the fresh ginger. These ingredients will bring a citrusy aroma and flavor to the dough.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour together with baking soda, salt, and your spices: ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Divide this dough into two equal parts, wrap them in plastic, and let them chill in the fridge for about an hour. Chilling is crucial as it makes the dough easier to roll out and less sticky.

Once chilled, roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut the dough into shapes for your house panels. Transfer these shapes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 10-12 minutes until the edges are firm. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. Now, prepare your royal icing by beating egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Use this icing to assemble and decorate your house. Allow it to set overnight so it becomes stable and ready to display.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The unique blend of spices and citrus zest makes it more flavorful than your average gingerbread.
It's an engaging project that’s perfect for family bonding or a solo creative endeavor.
Sturdy enough for building, yet delicious enough to eat.
Provides a chance to showcase your creative flair with decorating!

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup molasses

1 large egg

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp orange zest

1 tbsp lemon zest

1 tbsp freshly grated ginger

Royal Icing: 4 cups powdered sugar

3 large egg whites

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the egg, molasses, orange zest, lemon zest, and fresh ginger until well combined.

4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

6. Divide dough into two equal parts, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

7. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes for the house panels.

8. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm.

9. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

10. Prepare royal icing by beating egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.