Necco Wafer Gingerbread House From New England Recipes

NECCO WAFER GINGERBREAD HOUSE (FROM NEW ENGLAND)

Steps:

• ******* PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE BEGINNING *******.
• NOTE:
• I think the success of making this without going "bonkers", is to measure out all ingredients BEFORE you even begin.
• It is also suggested that you plan on making this in 4 steps, each on a different day.
• Day 1 would be to read all directions and suggestions carefully, and buy or make sure you have all ingredients and necessary equipment.
• Day 2 would be the baking of the gingerbread pieces.
• Day 3 plan on putting the house together.
• Day 4 plan on making the icing and do the actual decorating of the house.
• GINGERBREAD DOUGH:.
• This dough bakes into a firm, sturdy cookie, making it appropriate for gingerbread houses, large cookies or ornaments. This recipe makes enough dough for one house plus accessories.
• DOUGH:
• In a large bowl, thoroughly blend sugar and shortening.
• Add molasses, egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
• In another bowl, sift dry ingredients.
• Gradually stir dry ingredients into molasses mixture.
• When mixture becomes too stiff to stir with spoon, work dough with hands until completely blended.
• Separate dough into 4 balls.
• Wrap each in plastic wrap and chill a minimum of one hour.
• Dough can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
• BAKING & CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:
• Preheat oven at 325ºF.
• You may build your house in stages over a few days or a few weeks time.
• Bake pieces one day, attach pieces for construction at another time, and add decorations even later.
• Place a disk of chilled dough directly on aluminum foil cut to fit your baking sheet.
• Cover dough with plastic wrap and roll to 1/4" thickness.
• For gingerbread house dimensions, cut patterns from waxed or parchment paper that include 2 pieces of the following: side walls which are 7" wide and 4" high, end walls which are pointed are 5 1/2" wide and 8" high at the point, roof panels which are 8 1/2" wide and 6" high.
• Remove plastic wrap, place pattern pieces for house (which you have cut from waxed or parchment paper), directly on dough, leaving at least 1/2" border around pieces.
• Using a small sharp knife, cut around edges of pattern.
• Using your fingers or a small knife, remove scrap pieces of dough, leaving cut pieces intact on foil.
• Cut out doors and windows.
• Remove paper pattern pieces and place foil directly on a flat baking sheet.
• Bake 10-25 minutes, depending on size of pieces.
• Gingerbread will darken, especially around edges, and feel firm to the touch.
• Remove sheet from oven and allow pieces to cool on sheet.
• Gently peel gingerbread from foil.
• You may store pieces lying flat in a cool dry place or freeze in an appropriate container.
• When ready to construct the house, spread icing directly on a strong piece of cardboard, plywood, or a flat unbreakable tray to cover area where house will be built.
• Spread or pipe icing on edges of each piece which will attach to one another.
• Press pieces firmly together and hold to form neat angles.
• You may release your hold when pieces are self-standing. (This should only take a minute or two.)
• Allow sections of the house to dry before applying the roof or candy decorations.
• When house is thoroughly dry, you may begin attaching candy, cookies, nuts, etc., to the house or "grounds" using the icing as glue.
• Store house in a cool dry place for up to four weeks.
• ICING:
• The icing is used as "cement" to put the house together, attach decorations, and make icicles and decorative trim.
• You will need 2-3 batches to complete one house.
• Make each batch separately.
• Any fat substance will inhibit the whites from beating so separate the yolks carefully and keep all utensils grease-free.
• Place egg whites in bowl. Add cream of tartar.
• Sift sugar directly onto egg whites.
• Beat 4 minutes with electric mixer on high speed.
• The mixture will thicken as you beat it and when finished should be the consistency of mashed potatoes.
• Place a piece of plastic wrap directly over icing while using to prevent air from drying it.
• If storing for use at another time, store icing in an airtight plastic container in the refrigerator.
• If icing becomes too firm, simply beat a little water into it.
• DECORATIONS:
• Select candy according to size and desired color.
• NECCO Wafers are ideal for the roof.
• In addition, NECCO Gummy Bears, Cherry Coins, Candy Buttons, Haviland Chocolate Covered Raisins, Peanuts, Malted Milk Balls and Nonpareils are perfectly suited for gingerbread decoration.
• Spread additional icing around house to cover board.
• Complete your house with inverted ice cream cone trees (iced & decorated), Sky Bars for sleds, NECCO Chocolate Marshmallow Santas, Mary Jane Holiday Kisses, and Haviland Thin Mints.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Steps:

• Make half of the batch: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together half the butter and half the sugar for 5 minutes, until fluffy. Scrape down sides.
• Meanwhile, sift together the dry ingredients - the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt - and set aside half.
• With mixer running at low speed, add two eggs, one at a time. Mix in 1 cup molasses. Scrape down bowl.
• In 3 batches, add half the dry ingredients, mixing just to combine. To prevent any flour from flying out, make sure the mixer is off when adding each batch, and drape a towel over it when mixing. Mix in zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange.
• Pull dough out of mixer, and wrap in plastic wrap, or transfer to a resealable plastic bag. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 to make the remaining dough. Refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Roll out dough: For each square, weigh out about 20 ounces of dough. The goal is to end up with five 9-inch squares, so you'll roll them out a bit larger, bake them and trim off the edges.
• Lightly dust a large piece of parchment paper with flour. Place the chilled dough on top. Roll side to side and up and down to make a rough square shape. While you roll, make frequent quarter-turns so that the dough remains even.
• Roll until dough is about 10 by 10 inches and a generous 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. (Any dough left after the squares have been prepared can be rolled out 1/4-inch thick and used for cookies.) In the oven, the slab will rise to about 3/8- or 1/2-inch thickness, which will make the house extra sturdy.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until even and firmly set. Place pans on racks to cool. To prevent bending and cracking, carefully transfer to racks by lifting parchment paper. When completely cool, stack the slabs, still on parchment, and set aside to dry out at room temperature for 3 to 7 days. (When ready to assemble, see How to Make a Gingerbread House guide for full instructions.)