This post is an entry for Sweet New Zealand, a monthly blogging event open to all Kiwi bloggers. Founded by Alessandra Zecchini, this month’s event is hosted by Bron Marshall. See here for more info on this month’s event.
This week, my friend Miss A developed a deep and sudden obsession with making a gingerbread house. Her flash of enthusiasm roped me on board.
I was super apprehensive about the mission as I’m not a baker. No sir! But I was keen to decorate a gingerbread house. So, with her leading the baking and I leading the decorating, we made this after work, over wine and 2 nights.
We didn’t have much of a plan but we are stoked with how it turned out. All we knew is that we were going to make a house, but we ended up with a house, 4 trees, 3 bunnies, a fence and a snowman. Wafer makes a lightweight and authentic roof, but goes soft after just a day.
We used this recipe by Tamara Jane of the Good Morning show for the gingerbread and used royal icing and melted chocolate for the glue the holds everything together.
A path was fashioned out of gingerbread squares, stuck down with melted chocolate, topped with more melted chocolate and sprinkles.
We even made a tiny wreath for the door.
Half an orange pebble for a nose.
Could be carol singers, or 3 wise buns from the nativity.
I think it’s fair to say that we are both super proud of ourselves.
Gingerbread House Tips:
- Make sure your roof isn’t too thick or it will be too heavy.
- Flat bases stand better than rounded bases. Carefully cut a straight edge for shapes that need to stand upright.
- Shredded coconut covers all manner of sins.
- When applying royal icing, alternate between piping bag and butter knife. You’ll figure out what works best for the task.
- A sake cup makes for an excellent window cutter as well as a “cookie” cutter for our snowmen.
Gingerbread House Highlights:
- Decorating.
- Seeing it all come together.
Design Geek Bit
Font: Arca Dashed by PintassilgoPrints – Erica Jung e Ricardo Marcin
Bunny Eats Design 
Super cool entry for Sweet New Zealand and for the Season! I also love making gingerbread houses, and the ‘wise’ bunnies look like they are going to be the first to go (have you already eaten them????).
Ciao
Alessandra
Thanks Alessandra. There is one wise bunny left.
Absolutely Adorable!! Very “wise” and clever little bunnies I say, fantastic entry. Thanks so much for sharing and happy happy Christmas!
Thanks Bron! Happy Christmas to you 🙂
Ohhh!! I love your wise bunnies! I will be gingerbreading this week . . . Already baked just need to put it all together!
Thanks Cassandra! I hope you make some bunnies too 🙂
Sooooo, soooo impressed. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to tackle something like this, unless like you, I had some help (especially for the baking). It’s totally gorgeous and a great Sweet NZ entry
Sue xo
Thanks Sue. I had help with this one. I wouldn’t be confident enough to tackle this on my own. Merry Christmas to you too and wishing you the best for 2012.