Recipe: A Modern Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses are an annual holiday tradition with my children. Baking the gingerbread makes the house smell like Christmas, and there is nothing more fun than decorating with frosting and candy.  Every year, we imagine what it would be like to live in such a delicious, cozy home. We have always made houses that look like Hänsel and Gretel could have wandered into them, but this year, in honor of Alpine Modern, we made one that Don Draper might have rented for a ski weekend.

Recipe: Gingerbread House

Makes 1 house

INGREDIENTS

Gingerbread

(Based on a recipe by the Food Network)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 tbsp cinnamon 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp baking soda 2 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp water

Frosting

1 lb (4 cups) powdered sugar 1 tsp cream of tartar 3 egg whites

Candy

Gumdrops, Lifesavers, Licorice, Dots, Mike and Ikes, and Candy Canes work really well.  (Candies with a coating, such as M&Ms or Skittles, usually leak into the frosting and don’t look as pretty.)

STEPS

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and baking soda, until the mixture is smooth. (A stand mixer comes in very handy here.)

Blend in flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm. (I often make the dough a day or two ahead, wrap it in foil and keep it in the freezer, until I am ready to bake it.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Use graph paper and cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house:

Front and Back 

Left side: 4 1/4” or 22 graph squares

Right side: 3 1/2” or 18 graph squares

Bottom: 7” or 36 graph squares

Top: use a ruler to draw a line slanting down from the top of the left side to the top of right side

Door: 1 1/2” or 8 graph squares wide, 2” or 13 graph squares tall

Door location: 7 graph squares from the L side

Window: 1 3/4” or 9 graph squares wide, 1 1/4” or 6 graph squares tall

Window location: 7 graph squares from the L of the door, at the same height as the door

(Only cut out the door and window for the front side of the house.)

Sides

3 1/2” or 18 graph squares by 4 1/4” or 22 graph squares

Roof

6 1/2” or 33 graph squares by 11 1/2” or 58 graph squares

Roll out the gingerbread dough to a little thicker than 1/4”. Place patterns on top of dough and cut out with a large, sharp edged knife. Cut two “Front and Back” pieces, 2 sides and 1 roof.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 12 minutes. Leave house pieces on the baking sheet for ten minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Do not try to assemble the house until the house pieces are completely cool to the touch.

Mix all three ingredients for the frosting in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Continue mixing until the frosting is quite stiff.

Glue sides, front, and back of the house together, directly onto a rectangular plate. The side piece on the left should be in a portrait position, and the side piece on the right should be in a landscape position. Be generous with the icing on the inside of the house. I usually place a large scoop into each corner and up the inside seams to bolster the construction. Let the frosting harden completely.

Decorate the frame of the door and window with frosting and candy before adding the roof.  Frost the top edges of the house and the underside of the roof. Again, be generous with the amount of frosting on the underside of the roof so that it will attach firmly to the house. Let the frosting completely harden.

Frost the top of the roof and decorate with candies. Add the candy cane pillars last, when all of the frosting is hardened and the house is structurally sound.

Enjoy! △

Alpine Modern Holidays

This holiday season, Dwell is handing over the mic to some of their publishers on the new Dwell.com. We are tremendously thrilled that our editor in chief, Sandra Henderson, got to share her favorite picks for the season with the Dwell community—and now we are sharing them with you.

Our editor's Guide to a Bavarian-Coloradan Season

I grew up in Bavaria, hiking, skiing, and loving the Alps. With masters degree in political science and sociology in my pocket, I began my journalistic career at a German women’s magazine. On a trip to Washington, DC, I fell in love with my now-husband and eventually moved to the US. I began dreaming about starting a magazine that combines my two passions: modern architecture and the mountains. Meanwhile, living in Colorado, I serendipitously connected with Lon McGowan, an entrepreneur who at the time already owned an impeccably curated design shop in Boulder and shared my vision for a similar publication. Three short months later, we launched Alpine Modern magazine. We printed six beautiful issues before taking our content entirely online.

"Being a minimalist, I love to give beautiful things that are also useful and wearable—or are a treat to eat or drink."

Give

Three Peak Mountain Pillow for $75 from Alpine Modern—Hug a mountain! The handcrafted cushions—inspired by the maker’s yearly summer trips to Bend, Oregon and Three Sisters Wilderness—add a whimsical touch, whether you live in a mountain cabin or an urban condo.

Glerups felt ankle boots for $125—Because you can’t get cozy when your feet are cold. These warm felt house shoes are made of 100 percent pure natural wool and come in all sizes—from baby to grandpa.

Santal Woods Candle for $30 from Alpine Modern—Handmade in the USA, this soy candle fills my house with a wonderful smell of the woods. At the same time, the aroma is elevated and lovely for a festive dinner party.

Keep Cups for $24—For the busy body. Everyone already has a travel mug for on-the-go, but these cute and practical glass cups with lids are made for running up and down the stairs at home without spilling your morning coffee.

Drink

My favorite bubbly and bourbon to share with friends...

Meinklang Pinot Noir Frizzante Rosé from Austria for $18.99—You can pick this up from Whole Foods or order online.

Breckenridge Distillery Whiskey for $45.99—Make your mountainman happy with a bottle of Breckenridge Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys. It’s made with Rocky Mountain snowmelt.

Listen

If on a Winter’s Night by Sting from Amazon for $11.23—The album is a stirring collection of earthy winter songs, with a couple originals composed by Sting. The others include folk songs, lullabies, and hymns from decades and centuries past that were recorded with friends and guest musicians. The haunting sounds transport you deep into a snowy forest. My favorite tune on the album is “Soul Cake,” a traditional English beggar’s song.

Want

On my own wish list this year...

Transcendent Mitts by Outdoor Research for $59—I trust nature’s wisdom, so I usually choose wool or down to keep me warm. These puffy mittens are blissfully light and pack down perfectly in a bag.

Gold Ear Conch Cuff by Loren Stewart from Goop for $285—The idea of wearing an ear cuff is so ‘80s—I know—but this minimalist luxe version, designed by Loren Stewart, is definitely happening now. Beautiful and sophisticated. No piercing required.

Go

Home for the Holidays! What’s a more magical place to be for the Holidays than Bavaria? Lela Rose, my 10-year-old daughter, has never seen my native Germany in winter. I am beyond excited she finally gets to experience the Christmas market in my romantic home town of Dinkelsbühl in December.

And finally—our tree? Always real, with a vintage hand-blown glass top.

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Do you have any suggestions on what else you'd need to create a cozy alpine-inspired holiday? Let us know in the comments!