Watch CBS News

Ask A Minnesota Expert: Tips For Building Gingerbread Houses

The holidays bring tinsel, mistletoe, blinking lights and a bevy of other festive ways to decorate. One of the tastiest ways to deck your halls may be with the classic gingerbread house. But is this daunting job of making one from scratch only for the steady hands of a Martha-wanna-be? Before you balk at the task, take note of these tips from a local cake decorator.
Gingerbread Houses
(credit: Thinkstock)

Colleen Conway
Dorothy Ann Bakery
710 Commerce Drive, Suite 100
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 731-3323
www.dorothyannbakery.com

Colleen Conway is the lead cake decorator at Dorothy Ann Bakery. Many years of experience have made her cakes and other delicious goodies fan favorites in Woodbury and beyond. Not only does the bakery have tasty anytime treats but you'll also find breakfast and lunch served here, along with hosted classes and parties. Favorite seasonal events at Dorothy Ann's include cookie decorating classes and an annual Christmas cookie exchange. Conway's pro tips will help you master gingerbread house building and decorating for many holidays to come.

Bake Until Crispy

A saggy, droopy gingerbread house does not make for a festive holiday decoration. Make sure your construction lasts by ensuring its stability. Bake your favorite gingerbread recipe until it's crispy by closely monitoring the cooking progress rather than taking it out of the oven right as the timer goes off. Under-cooking your house will make it fall apart later.

Cut & Cool

"Right after you pull the gingerbread out of the oven, re-trim the edges to be joined," Conway suggests. This tip will make all your joints straight and takes any unnecessary gaps out.  Afterward, be sure to also let the gingerbread cool thoroughly. Not only will your fingertips thank you, but your construction will be more solid as well.

Decorate A Gingerbread House
(credit: Thinkstock)

Construct With The Right Icing

Royal icing is the sweet trimming that is standard used when constructing gingerbread houses. "Royal icing can be made using meringue powder found at your craft store," Conway said. "This is the best medium to use to put your house together." Royal icing is best used immediately after it is made but it can be stored in an air-tight container and re-whipped later to re-use.

Related: Best Places For Unique Christmas Ornaments In Minnesota

Get To Decorating

After letting your assembled house sit overnight, you can start the fun project of decorating.  If you're in need of a pastry bag, Conway says a gallon Ziploc bag will suffice. "Fill the Ziploc bag with the desired amount of buttercream or your favorite frosting. Clip the corner of the bag a quarter  to half-inch thick and you have a DIY pastry bag." Parchment paper formed into a paper cone also works for this purpose. After the frosting is on, go crazy decorating with your favorite candies.

Gingerbread House With Snowmen
(credit: Thinkstock)

Find Some Help When You Need It

Dorothy Ann Bakery hosts gingerbread house decorating classes around the holidays each year for ages five and up. The bakery provides the pre-made house, frosting, apron and candy. You just need to show up ready to design a festive masterpiece. If you'd rather decorate at home, Dorothy Ann's has pre-made gingerbread houses to take with you. For those who want to skip making edible décor altogether, fully decked-out gingerbread houses and sleighs are available for purchase from Dorothy Ann's during the entire month of December. The perfect bow-wrapped gift for a holiday hostess!

Related: Best Places To Do Arts & Crafts For The Whole Family In Minnesota 

Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. She is also a public relations and event planning professional. Her most important job is mother to her young son and daughter, who are her partners-in-crime when checking out the family entertainment scene in the Twin Cities. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.