Home For the Holidays

William Shakespeare, Love’s Labours Lost

"And I had but one penny in the world.

Thou should’st have it to buy gingerbread."

Today is the big reveal of the Daring Bakers Challenge for December...


The December 2009 Daring Bakers’ Challenge was brought to you by Anna of Very Small Anna and Y of Lemonpi. They chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ everywhere to bake and assemble a gingerbread house from scratch. They chose recipes from Good Housekeeping and from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book as the challenge recipes.


...It also just so happens to be my birthday!

I've always admired gingerbread houses, and though every year I make gingerbread cookies, this was the first year I tackled the architecture of making my own gingerbread home.


Being that this was my first gingerbread adventure, I didn't stray too far from the traditional path of gumdrop city,.. however I am very eager to start a new December tradition and in doing so explore the outer regions of edible countryside.


I have to admit - I cheated; I used my own gingerbread recipe, but it is the best. It doesn't shrink or swell, and hardens perfectly if overcooked just slightly.
Nails and Plaster: Royal Icing
Roof and Shingles: Striped Shortbread Cookies
Gutters: Mini Gummy Bears
Down Spout: Lemonheads
Front Door: Granola Bar
Door Knob: Mini Gummy Bear
Path to Backyard: Hershey's Chocolate Pieces
Window Awnings: White Chocolate Chips
Bushes and Trees: Green Gumdrops
Interior Lights shining through the windows - Pixie Stix
Outdoor Paint: Sprinkles
Outdoor Lights: Sour Fruit Stripes
Ice: Corn Syrup
Snow: Sugar and Coconut


My birthday wish would be to live in this adorable edible house; if only...