YumSugar

Nut and Gluten-Free Building: Gingerbread House Kit For Allergic Kids

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:00:36 PST

For the love of gingerbread! Gathering around the table with sheets of gingerbread and bowls of candy is an annual tradition in many families. But for those with food allergies, it can be just another activity they need to sit out of for fear of going into anaphylactic shock. Unless of course, you purchase a safe kit!

A&J Bakery, a Rhode Island-based nut and gluten-free bakery that ships nationwide, is introducing Allergen-Friendly Gingerbread House Kits ($30) this year. The peanut, tree nut, wheat, gluten, soy, egg, dairy, and sesame-free kit includes everything budding architects need to create their confectionery masterpieces, including pieces of pre-baked gingerbread, a variety of five allergen-free candies, and non-edible decorations for additional fun. Mama's got to act fast to get her hands on a freshly baked kit - A&J is only accepting orders until Dec. 21!

Source: Flickr User Carrie Stephens

Would You Like to Live in a Gingerbread House?

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:00 PST

This Victorian home in Bouldin Creek, TX, one of Austin's oldest neighborhoods, is what you might call a gingerbread house: dripping with candylike ornate moldings and a very decorative picket fence, its style is straight out of a fairytale book. I love it, and I'd kill to live in it. That gorgeous front porch alone had me sold! But architecture this elaborate certainly doesn't please everyone's tastes. How about you?

Have You Ever Made a Gingerbread House?

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:45:12 PST

I've been wondering how many of you, in the spirit of the season, have made a gingerbread house before. Although last year my labor of love was a mid-century modern gingerbread home, this year I won't be making one - I'm thinking of making a bûche de Noël instead! Are you making one?

Have You Entered Michelle Kaufmann's Eco Gingerbread Contest?

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:00:15 PST

One of my eco heroes, Michelle Kaufmann is sponsoring a Green Guru Gingerbread Challenge. You have two more days to enter the contest, and I know that CasaSugar readers are a creative bunch, so I thought you should rally to make your own design!

Check out this house, for example, which is powered by chocolate solar panels and features clerestory windows, a deep roof overhang, low-E glazed windows, a frosting water catchment system, and green roofs planted with native flora. Sustainable and delicious!

Are you going to enter the Green Guru Gingerbread Challenge?

Source

Love It or Hate It? Eco Gingerbread House

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:15:31 PST

You know that I'm a fan of green building, and that means my enthusiasm also extends to the world of gingerbread houses. Are you a fan of eco-oriented gingerbread houses? Or do you prefer the traditional models?

Nancy Wegard for The New York Times

Here Comes the Neighborhood! (Part 2)

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:13:31 PST

When we asked for your own gingerbread-house creations, I was surprised by the number of entries. There were 30 of them, and each one is fantastic! If you missed it, we posted the first fifteen entries this morning, but now it's time for the next fifteen! This set covers everything from a beach hut to a concert stage, including a replica Snoopy dog house! To check out the neighborhood,

Entry #16
Tracy in Rochester, N.Y. sends this seemingly normal gingerbread house. However, if you look closer you'll see the dog relieving itself and the snowmen beating each other up!

Entry #17
Stacy and her crew in Janesville, Wis. sent us this delightful home complete with flags and a pinwheel garden.

Entry #18
In our second train entry, Erin in Mass. takes us for a ride on The Jolly Express.

Entry #19
TeamSugar member kgiuffre sends us this cute mini gingerbread house from Md.

Entry #20
Noelle from Luvit took a stab at a two-story house. Love it and the trees!

Entry #21
Blair from the Blair Necessities sends us an entire gingerbread village, including a train to visit other villages!

Entry #22
Out of Pleasanton, Calif. comes Grant's gingerbread stage, complete with performers. Nice concept!

Entry #23
Baking Soda sends us this tall, snow-capped house all the way from The Netherlands!

Entry #24
This untraditional beach hut comes from Tammy in Ariz. I love the SOS-styled message!

Entry #25
TeamSugar member biochemlovely sent us her rendition of a gingerbread White House. I love the jelly-candy grass!

Entry #26
This nice, little modern bungalow comes from Cicely in LA. I like the coffee bean landscaping.

Entry #27
Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen sends us this marshmallow-world gingerbread house complete with a tiny, cookie shack.

Entry #28
TeamSugar majikiss sends us this adorable gingerbread version of Snoopy's doghouse. Be sure to check out the other photos or you'll miss out on Charlie Brown.

Entry #29
Heather from I Love Tongs sends us her version of a modern gingerbread house. You guys know I love modern houses!

Entry #30
Jessica from Princess in the Kitchen sends us this adorable cottage all the way from Australia. I love the way the chimney turned out!

Entry #31
Finally, our very own dannysf sent us his giant gingerbread creation! Okay, just kidding! He spied this one in Las Vegas, but it was so beautiful and too funny I had to share!

Thanks again to everyone who participated, don't miss out on the first fifteen entries! All the details are on the other page, but you can always check out the gallery below!

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Kidoodles: Felt Gingerbread House

babysugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:00:40 PST

We're having a gingerbread house contest at Sugarland, and I planned on building one with the usual supplies, but changed my mind and decided to go another route after considering the time and effort that goes into making a cookie house.

I've seen the great felt kits from Twinkle Kids that you can order for $55, but it was too late to order one so I improvised. Rather than waiting for pre–cut felt shapes and candy bits to show up at my door, I went out and bought a few pieces of felt and made my own. It's an easy and fun project that kids and parents can both enjoy.

To see how I made the gingerbread house,

All you need are the following:

Felt squares (available at most craft stores)
Glue (hot glue gun works best but school glue will do okay)
Scissors
Fabric paints or markers
A shoebox or some sort of base to shape the house
Any extra do–dads you want to add on
A base like a cake platter or piece of cardboard to set it up on if you like

Now you can get started.

Paste the base color felt (most likely brown) to the box that you plan on using for your house shape.
Start cutting the felt into all shapes and sizes – gum drops, candy canes, bubblegum, lollipops, candy corn, etc.
Paste them onto the house.
Use the leftover felt to make trees, sidewalks, snowmen, etc.
Wash your hands of the glue and take a picture.

You've just created a gem of a "ginger"bread house without all the mess and over-consumption of candy.

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Which Gingerbread House Do You Prefer?

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:13:39 PST

CasaSugar recently asked which Sugar HQ gingerbread house you preferred. It's been a back and forth struggle between PartySugar's Snowy Log Cabin and BuzzSugar's Dr. Gingerbread House. However - mostly because we've got a healthy sibling-like competitive spirit - we want to know which of ours do you prefer? Party's Traditional Cabin or my Mid-Century Modern? Be honest, we're tough skinned!

And, if you want to get in on the gingerbread making fun, we're still accepting gingerbread house submissions. Get them in by tomorrow to be included in the Friday "neighborhood" roundup!

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 08:00:00 PST

Check out the gingerbread House I made! Get it? Gingerbread House?
What do you think about the 2008 Golden Globe Nominations?
You should go see Juno and then check out the movie's awesome soundtrack.
This Iron and Wine video for "Boy With a Coin" is full of beautiful flamenco dancers.
Time to weigh in on my best of 2007 polls, from the best dramatic movie actresses to which returning TV show needs a makeover.
The writers strike seems to be neverending. So, what's your plan for when TV doesn't return to normal?
The one awesome, normal thing that will return in 2008 is Lost, so check out the fourth season preview.
Madonna will be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, but the Beastie Boys and Donna Summer will not. Discuss.
The trailers for Penelope and Mamma Mia! came out this week and both look promising.

Mid-Century Modern Gingerbread House

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:56:19 PST

The other day, CasaSugar asked you which Sugar HQ gingerbread house you preferred. Many of you said PartySugar's Lagito Cabin Gingerbread House, but my Mid-Century Modern charmed some of you folks as well. Earlier you got the step-by-step for hers, so today I thought I'd give you the step-by-step for mine. And if it inspires you then join us! We're currently asking you to submit your own gingerbread house!

I started off by creating my concept. Once I had the crude drawing, I got some scraps of cardboard and created a life-size model. If you're going to create your own house, I recommend you doing the same. The cardboard pieces will be used to cut out each wall piece.

To get the rest of my steps and up close pictures of each side and all the components,

Once I had my cardboard creation standing, I rolled out my chilled gingerbread between two pieces of parchment paper. Then I took the pieces of cardboard and put them on top of rolled out gingerbread (on top of the parchment paper). I then used a sharp knife to trace the cardboard. Once traced, I removed the cardboard and top sheet of parchment paper. Next I removed the excess dough and placed the entire piece of parchment paper (with dough) onto a baking sheet and baked according to directions.
This method is the best, easiest and cleanest, however, it uses quite a bit of parchment paper, make sure you have an entire roll.

When the gingerbread had cooled (at least 6 hours to make sure it is firm) and the icing had been made. I put the pieces together. Start by creating two adjacent walls in order to create an L shape.
If your gingerbread gets covered in white icing, wipe it off immediately if possible. You may want to use a damp towel to "wash" it.
Make sure your gingerbread house is standing before you stick the decor on. You may want to build the house and let it sit overnight.
To create the modern looking roof, I covered the roof pieces in icing and applied a thick layer of crumbled Oreo cookies. I pulverized the Oreos in a food processor first.

The Christmas tree was created by stacking Oreos with a layer of icing in between each one. I then used a sharp knife to shape the tree. Next I took green icing/frosting and slathered it with my hands.
Thin sour belts make for great decorating. They are easy to cut with scissors and can be adhered with a small amount of icing. It also works for easy grass covering!
To create the flowers, I sliced gummi bears into thinner pieces. I liked the way the sour gummi bears had a difference in color on the outside and inside.
I originally tried to make the wreath on the outside with store-bought cake decorating icing. Unfortunately, the texture would not work vertically and my wreath soon "melted" down the side of my gingerbread wall. I was too lazy to create a green colored batch of icing, so I used regular white icing and then applied the store-bought on top of that.

View 29 Photos ›