Build A Better Gingerbread House. Do The Ingredients Matter?

We've mentioned a few times that the fine line between durability and edibility is a constant issue we are facing. In the past, this has primarily been an issue for pieces we needed to hold up for an upcoming competition, but now as we're moving forward into other ventures, we find ourselves 're-evaluating the ingredients we use, the recipes we use, the cost of what we're using and the cost-versus-effectiveness of each ingredient.

Flour, for example, regular all purpose flour is cheapest. Financially, it's the best purchase. But bread flour has more protein. Protein (gluten) makes for a more stable, stronger gingerbread. So we find ourselves looking at two different possible outcomes based on which flour we invest in.

Then we come to molasses. Which type, which brand, aren't they all the same? No, they are not. Certain brands are sweeter, certain brands have a more intense molasses flavor, but are terribly bitter without extra sugar added. Extra sugar compromises the structural integrity of the gingerbread. Some brands aren't sold in bulk! And do we even want to use molasses at all when something like honey is more resistant to humidity, and honey is more traditional to begin with?

Love and Olive Oil has a GREAT post explaining more the details of Molasses.  We suggest you head over there and check that out!


In the weeks and months to come we're going to have to try a lot of different options, and a lot of different combinations, revisit old recipes, revamp new ones, build, construct, and wait and wait and wait.

We want to give our customers the best possible product we can. We want them to be charming and delicious. We want to be a part of your children's holiday memories and traditions. Stay tuned, good things are on the way!

Gingerbread Destruction!

You spend hours days designing and creating your gingerbread masterpieces.

Now what?

Erin already told you how we feel about the edibility.  So, do you do it?  Do you eat it?  Do you give it away and let somebody else decide?

This Gingerbuilder (Stephanie) has 20-30 hungry third graders that delight in destroying and devouring our pieces every year.

Faces were blurred to protect the innocent, so please pardon the creepy children photos to follow.

So what do YOU do with your gingerbread creations?

Better yet, what can WE do?  If you have fun ideas on how we should lay our art to rest, let us know!  We want to make a video montage of gingerbread houses being destroyed.  That's the best way for holiday fun!

Share your ideas via comment or email!  and don't forget to subscribe for more gingerbread antics and general baking tutorials to come!

To eat, or not to eat....The Great Gingerbread Debate.

It seems to be one of the more controversial topics amongst gingerbreaders... make it strong, or make it edible.

Personally, I'm of the mind that gingerbread houses should be both completely edible and completely delicious. They should smell like nutmeg and cinnamon and ginger. You should have to fight the temptation to break off a piece and surreptitiously pop it into your mouth. Edible on a technicality doesn't cut it for me.

But the competition circuit is a little different. I respect that it's different, and we'll play by the rules, but there is something so charming about a slightly lopsided, piled with icing and obnoxiously colored candy, spicy smelling gingerbread house.

Is it impressive that people can make such realistic creations using edible substances? Heck yeah it is! But is my 4 year old son going to want to eat a piece of salt dough held together with tylose? Probably not.

As a team, I'd say Ginger Builders strives to strike that perfect balance between beautiful and edible (see Stephanie's peppermint creation!) With the exception of a few elements in a few of our creations (wrought iron fencing made of dried pasta, for example) or creations have always been traditional gingerbread, perfectly edible, and perfectly charming.

So what do you think? Where do you stand on the Great Gingerbread Debate?