Gingerbread House with a Sweet Twist or Two or Three
Holidays are marked by treasured traditions and customs. Some involve hanging festive-looking wreaths on their front door and fireplace. Others focus more on their tree decorated with beloved ornaments, both old and new. Most popular of all is the tradition of opening presents from under the tree.
Some traditions revolve around the kitchen. Others make homemade confectionery. There is also the fragrant and delicious tradition of building a gingerbread house from scratch.
Where Did Gingerbread Houses Come From?
Gingerbread houses can be traced as far back as the 19th century in Germany. The idea for the houses came about after the Brothers Grimm published their story about the brother and sister Hansel and Gretel, wherein there was a wicked witch who lived in a house made from gingerbread and candy.
They would create a small house made from gingerbread and decorate it with assorted sweets. This tradition reached North America through the early German settlers. The tradition is popular because the entire family can spend time together, designing and putting together their own unique “little home.”
How Are They Made?
Traditionally, the gingerbread house is built by using baked gingerbread pieces and glued together using melted sugar. The roof is usually decorated with icing and assorted Australian lollies.
The little home is surrounded by a yard or garden decorated with colourful candy and sprinkled with powdered sugar as snow. There are countless ways to embellish a gingerbread house.
There is also no limit on the house’s architectural form. It can be a simple hut, a candy store filled with goodies, a grand castle with ornate gates and turrets, or even a tall building. The possibilities are endless.
A visit to the nearest candy shop will reveal endless opportunities for decorating a gingerbread house. Candy canes on the doors, sugar flowers in the garden, or rock candy in the moat.
The gingerbread house is probably among the most popular holiday traditions in Australia and most families want to make their creations as unique as possible.
So, are you ready to make your Gingerbread house this season?