Necco Wafer Gingerbread House from New England
Celebrate the holiday season with a charming Necco Wafer Gingerbread House straight from the heart of New England! This delightful recipe combines the warm, spiced flavors of gingerbread with the nostalgic allure of classic Necco Wafers, used creatively to craft colorful, candy-coated roof shingles. With a base of molasses-rich dough and sturdy royal icing, this DIY gingerbread house is perfect for family bonding or festive gatherings. The recipe walks you through every step, from shaping your gingerbread panels to assembling and decorating with assorted candies. An enchanting centerpiece and edible treat, this Necco Wafer Gingerbread House is a holiday tradition you'll want to relive year after year.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons Ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup Molasses
- 1 large Egg
- 3 rolls Necco Wafers
- 4 cups Powdered sugar
- 2 large Egg whites
- 0.5 teaspoon Cream of tartar
- 1 cup Assorted candies
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the molasses and egg, and mix until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a thick dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
Using cardboard templates, cut out the shapes for the gingerbread house (walls, roof pieces, door, etc.). Transfer the pieces to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are firm and slightly darkened. Let the pieces cool completely on a wire rack.
To make royal icing, combine the powdered sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth, then increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form.
Transfer the royal icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip for assembly and decoration.
Assemble the gingerbread house by using royal icing to glue the walls together. Allow the structure to dry for at least 1 hour before attaching the roof.
Once the house is assembled, use the Necco Wafers to create shingles for the roof, securing each wafer with royal icing. Decorate the house with assorted candies as desired, using more icing as adhesive.
Allow the gingerbread house to dry completely before displaying or enjoying your festive creation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
8257 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 111.6 g | 143% | |
| Saturated Fat | 59.2 g | 296% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 468 mg | 156% | |
| Sodium | 2962 mg | 129% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1744.7 g | 634% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.3 g | 76% | |
| Total Sugars | 1103.2 g | ||
| Protein | 89.6 g | 179% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 1023 mg | 79% | |
| Iron | 51.9 mg | 288% | |
| Potassium | 6202 mg | 132% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
