Prettiest gingerbread house ever

Get creative this Christmas with this stunning gingerbread house (RECIPE BELOW). The decorative possibilities are endless! Share your gingerbread house creations on Instagram by using the hashtag #colesmag.
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THE NEW GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Makes 1 large house Prep 1 hour (+ cooling & setting time) Cooking 20 mins
1 quantity Basic Gingerbread (recipe below)
Coles 100’s & 1000’s
10 Mars M&M’s
Coles Sour Rainbows
Royal icing
1 Coles Australian Free Range Egg white*
1 tsp lemon juice
1½ cups (240g) pure icing sugar, sifted
BASIC GINGERBREAD
Makes 1 quantity Prep 30 mins
(+ 15 mins cooling & 30 mins resting time) Cooking 5 mins (+ baking time)
125g butter, chopped
½ cup (110g) brown sugar
½ cup (125ml) golden syrup
1 Coles Australian Free Range Egg
3 cups (450g) plain flour
1 tbs ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
1. Combine butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 mins or until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Set aside for 15 mins to cool.
2. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Add the egg and whisk to combine. Stir in flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Knead on a floured surface until smooth. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 mins to rest.
3. Bake according to the following recipe.
THE NEW GINGERBREAD HOUSE
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. Divide gingerbread dough into 6 portions.
2. To make the side walls, roll out 1 gingerbread portion on a lightly floured surface to a 4mm-thick disc. Cut into a 12cm x 13cm rectangle. Place on 1 lined tray. Repeat with another gingerbread portion. Use a 3cm heart cutter to cut 2 hearts from each wall for windows. Place hearts on the lined tray.
3. To make the roof, roll out 1 of the remaining gingerbread portions on a lightly floured surface to a 4mm-thick disc. Cut into a 13cm x 15cm rectangle. Place on the tray. Repeat with another gingerbread portion.
4. To make the front and back walls, roll out the remaining 2 portions on a lightly floured surface to a 4mm-thick disc. Cut each into a 12cm x 11cm square with a 9cm-long triangle on the end to form a pitched roof. Place on lined tray. Use heart cutter to cut 1 heart from each wall for the windows. Use a small sharp knife to cut a door from the front wall. Place hearts and door on the lined tray.
5. Bake gingerbread for 15-20 mins or until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside on trays to cool completely.
6. To make the royal icing, lightly whisk egg white and lemon juice in a bowl. Gradually add icing sugar, stirring well after each addition, until smooth, adding more icing sugar if necessary to make a thick paste.
7. To decorate the roof, spread the roof pieces evenly with a thin layer of icing. Sprinkle with 100’s & 1000’s to evenly coat. Set aside to set.
8. To decorate the walls, spread each wall with icing. Arrange sour straps over the walls, using the heart cutter to cut out the windows. Set aside to set.
9. Spread heart shapes and door with icing and sprinkle with 100’s & 1000’s.
10. To assemble the house, spread a little icing over the side edges of the front, back and side walls. Join together, using a straight-sided glass to support the sides. Set aside for 1 hour to set.
11. Spread a little icing over the top edges of the walls and attach the roof pieces. Place a glass under the bottom edge of the roof to support. Set aside for 1 hour or until completely set.
12. To finish, place remaining icing in a piping bag fitted with a 2mm plain nozzle. Pipe icing around the windows and door. Use icing to attach the door to the front. Pipe over the roof to make tiles. Use icing to attach M&M’s to the top. Pipe snow at the top of the front and back walls. Use kitchen scissors to cut remaining sour strap into triangles. Use icing to attach to the front wall to make bunting. Set aside until set.
WATCH MORE
Check out our Amazing desserts playlist for more inspiring recipes to create this Christmas:
How to make gingerbread trifle
How to make Curtis Stone’s oh-so-delicious mango caramel ice-cream cake
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