Don't Give Up That Gingerbread House Just Yet!
Some Things To Know Before Giving Up On a Gingerbread House Project
Each and every year my kids beg me to create a gingerbread house with them. Something about a house made of delicious yummies appeals to them. Something about a mess of frosting and candy and trying to get pieces of gingerbread to stand up on end just doesn't thrill most adults anymore. There is, however, a way to make the kids happy without driving the grown ups nuts. Here are some easy ways to make a gingerbread house this holiday season.
Forget The Whole Bread Idea
A good friend of mine made a gingerbread house from real home-baked gingerbread this year. I, my friends, am not so Betty Crockerish. What turned out a masterpiece for her would have been a holiday disaster in my kitchen. That's why I used graham crackers.
No, I will never receive a "gingerbread house of the year" award with the gingerbread houses my family put together this holiday season. We will, however, walk away with our sanity intact and our kids' desire to create a gingerbread house satisfied.
If you don't like the idea of spending upwards of $20 on a gingerbread kit and the idea of putting together a house made from actual gingerbread scares you, then the graham cracker option may be just what you're looking for.
Building a House
If you want to build an easy gingerbread house that's still fun for the kids, run out and get some graham crackers, frosting, mini marshmallows, gum drops, mini candy canes and some M&Ms.
Slather the bottom of a paper plate with the frosting (it's your base) and start building your house from the graham crackers. Anywhere you feel like you need glue to hold the house together, use frosting. Then slather the whole house with the stuff. When everything is sticky with frosting have your kids decorate the house with the candy.
It's a 15-minute or less project. Long enough to build memories, short enough so the kids don't get bored and you don't get stuck finishing everything yourself.
So don't deprive your children this year! Go ahead and make that gingerbread house. Just do it the easy way.