Sunday, December 27, 2009

Daring Bakers: Gingerbread House



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.

So maybe I went a little overboard making a gingerbread farm (upwards of 15 hours over the last four days :p ), but I couldn't help it. I'm not really a decorator, I'm a baker. Flavors, ingredients, recipes, that's what I can do. Artistry? Not really. But I thought if there was anything I could pull off, it would be a project that's more architecture and engineering that happens to look like art.

And everyone around my house appreciated that I spent four days baking something that wouldn't expand their waistlines in the end (cause ain't nobody eatin' this baby).

I used Anna's recipe, but was cautious about adding all the flour since so many people noted the dough gets very dry. I ended up about one cup of flour short of what the recipe called for. I used a box inside the farm house to hold it up (I know, I know, but the green house is holding itself up!), and I use a lollipop recipe for the glue. I used cake crumbs for the dirt, and the "glass" (more lollipop syrup) is lightly colored greed, but it's hard to tell against the board. The herbs are actually herbs: lavender, mint, sage, rosemary, chamomile. And if you look closely on the porch, there's a tea pot on the table, made by my sister!

Great challenge! Watch for it, this'll be my farm for real in a couple years!

21 comments:

Jill @ Jillicious Discoveries said...

This farm, house, raised beds and greenhouse--they are AWESOME!! I love the little sundial and other details--so creative!! I just love, love, LOVE it all!! :)

Lauren said...

Oh my gosh! I adore the greenhouse - it is simply amazing! All of your details are perfect! Beautiful job =D.

Janice said...

love the farm -- especially the greenhouse!

Anzj said...

Oh my. You have truly outdone yourself. With the herb beds and greenhouse it is all sóóoooo detailed. Just AMAZING! Love, love, LOVE!!

http://mangerie.blogspot.com/2009/12/het-kerstdessert-met-hoofdletters.html

Y said...

!!


I'm speechless. The level of detail is just speechless-making (see, have lost the power of grammar too!).

sweetakery said...

Oh WOW! Just AMAZING! Love it! so beautiful!! great work! Happy New Year!

carlyathomas2004 said...

That greenhouse is great :) As is the whole house!

Hilary said...

That's awesome!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Ahahahah this is super cool! The green house just left me speachless!

Wolf said...

I love the greenhouse! And the herb gardens!

shaz said...

Oh my goodness, the detail in this is incredible! The little sundial is fantastic. Bravo, very impressed!

WonderKitty said...

Wow, that is freaking amazing. You are great. I wish I could have helped you, that would have been a great day! Or four.

Unknown said...

Fantastic! What detailed work! It's like a little story and you have to look everywhere to take in all the parts. You must have had heaps of fun.

Namratha said...

OMG, this is the best I've seen...what a neat idea. Very nicely executed.

Jenny Tan said...

WOW!!! You have definitely did an awesome job! Every detail is amazing! Great job! :)

Anita said...

What a great gingerbread house! Love the greenhouse and herb beds, you're very creative.

Anonymous said...

Love your creation. I'd love to live here too! Cute sundial! Nice touch to use fresh herbs.

Anonymous said...

What a cute idea. It looks great!

Maggie said...

The greenhouse and garden are just fantastic!! Lots of luck in the New Year with your farm plans!

Erin Andree said...

OMG You made GINGERBREAD GARDENS! thats incredible

Candice said...

Oh my goodness, amazing!!