Tag Archives: gingerbread

Gingerbread Houses

17 Dec 2012

Not Like Mom Used To Make.

But, still super fun. Trader Joe’s Kits have the genius of architectural gravity on their side.
You can erect the walls, raise the roof, and put the candy on with no waiting.

Nanu, thank you so much for coming over and helping me uphold the tradition!
And for bringing candy too – We just made it!
The “giant” amount of icing I made? Was just enough. (#Itoldyouso)

The kids want to eat these SO BAD.
I told them they need to wait until the evening of the 24th.

Poll: Shall I keep my word, or shall I cave early?

Ginger Bread Houses

22 Dec 2011

What a fun playdate we had! But first: the final results.

I didn’t take too many photos – my fingers were too covered in frosting.
The kits were from Trader Joe’s, and the moms brought extra candies to decorate.
I LOVE the A-frame architecture – not only is it a cute rendition, but the roof rests on the ground, making it structurally sound. Genius.

(After, we walked down to Ragazza and had the yummiest pizza dinner I think I’ve ever had!)

The Gift Tag Cookie

22 Dec 2010

I fell in love with a photo I saw in a catalog. But it wasn’t clothes, like you might expect. Here is the inspired item, a cookie!

When I showed it to Sweet Kiera, she loved it just as much. And, of course, t’was no problem! It’s one thing to have a fun idea, it’s A Whole ‘Nother Thing to actually execute!

Such Christmas Angels

12 Dec 2010

No, I’m not writing about my kids, although come to think of it, they have been really sweet lately. (Hmmmm, I think we can attribute that to a quickly approaching Santa Claus coming to town.)

These are some new little angels, inspired by a cookie party at Geffen’s house. In a wave of caffeinated baking enthusiasm, I made a double batch of gingerbread, yielding forty angels. Later that night, armed with piping bags and toothpicks, Kiera and I brought our choir to life.

Recipes and techniques and more photos coming soon to Sweet Kiera … Stay Tuned.

Gingerbread House – Like We Used To Make

07 Dec 2010

Are you ready for a sugar hit?
Nanu made the gingerbread pieces at home, which was genius because it saved time. Traditionally we use a recipe from a Christmas book, cut out the pieces from a template – then bake. Chief made the house a little wider this time, but this is basically the same house we’ve grown up making. Nanu brought over some candy, then we made a “candy run” for even more. The frosting/glue is Royal Icing, made from 2 egg whites, 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar, and 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar. Sweet Kiera stepped in to add beautiful attention to detail. (she made the whole roof with breathtaking efficiency!) Oscar did a lot too. He saw the project to completion, and contributed original projects such as the welcome mat and path, and many of the rows of gumdrops, red hots and the like. The only real question is, how long can we go until we eat it?

Click to see these large and luscious!:

Ps No, you can’t eat the pig.

Behind the scenes shots: