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Sweetness; It's On The House

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2007

Updated: 12/10/2007 06:44 pm

Remember the enchanting gingerbread houses we used to make from pint-size milk cartons plastered with frosting, graham crackers and gumdrops? This past weekend, I picked up something similar, a slightly larger version - a gingerbread house kit.

I've noticed the "no-cook" houses everywhere. They're in stock at Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann Stores, Publix, Sweetbay and other area retailers. Sugary mortar and savory 2-by-4s are any weekend warrior's fantasy construction project.

The list of building materials in the Wilton kit I purchased included prebaked gingerbread panels, candy trims, icing mix and a decorating bag.

The instructions said it would be easy and fun for the whole family. I have to admit it was fun - messy, but great fun. Next time, though, I'll cover the entire dining room table and floor with newspapers or a vinyl tablecloth.

Small hands could easily do the fun part - the decorating - but adult hands are a must for assembling the foundation. The walls and roof are hoisted in an hour or so and dried in about three hours. The next day, I spent several more hours detailing the candy-studded house.

Every new home has a few glitches. As I was trimming down a wall edge before joining it, the wall split into two pieces but was easily caulked with icing to repair the crack.

Since the icing dries quickly, I divided and prepared mine as needed, instead of mixing it all at once as the directions suggested. Icing should be stiff. If it's too runny, the candy will slide off the walls - a decorator's nightmare.

Although plenty of candy comes with the kit, forget the saying less is more. Less, in this case, is boring. Go overboard. Lots of candy on the exterior adds charm and interest to the finished product.

In addition to using the mini-gumdrops and multicolored candies that came with the kit, I browsed my cupboards for other construction materials. Pretzels worked nicely as shingles; marshmallows edged the roof; and M&Ms and Chex cereal were layered as siding.

Be creative. For the adventurous, candy store aisles are bursting with other sweet inspirations, including peppermint patties, fruit sheets, Necco wafers or striped chewing gum. Mix things up. Use favorite foods, like odd-shaped crackers, cookies, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, crushed chips or popcorn.

If you intend to use your gingerbread house as a lasting centerpiece or holiday decoration rather than eat it, spray it thoroughly with artist's fixative or heavy-duty hair spray. And remember to keep it away from tiny tots and curious pets.

Our 5-pound grand-pup, Lucy, showed lots of interest by jumping up on the back of the loveseat to get a closer look at the new treat sitting on the sofa table. Even though it may have been just her size, it wasn't a suitable snack. The house was promptly moved to higher ground.

Lynn Kessel can be reached at lkessel@mac.com or P.O. Box 286, Ruskin FL 33575-0286. Readers are encouraged to send their recipes, comments and suggestions.

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