The construction of a gingerbread house has become something of a Christmas Eve tradition in the last few years. I have no input whatsoever to the process. Its all down to my sister (aka Auntie Adele) boy, girl and a little help from an Ikea flat pack. Their creations have become increasingly ambitious over the years but the chimney is almost always topped off with a signature Brussels Sprout.
2010
The first year of house creation and its somewhat of a minimalistic thrown together look. No preplanning whatsoever. After Eights adorning the roof and the first appearance of a sprout in the chimney. Boy was 8 and girl 6. Construction of the house is always done with melted sugar as opposed to icing.
The sprout has gone from the chimney and been replaced with a Playmobil Santa. A host of woodland creatures adorn the scene and clearly some thought has been put into the overall design. There's been an icing sugar snowfall and the addition of a somewhat scary looking giant gingerbread man.
The sprout is back! This year's project was the addition of a fence. It proved to be a bit of a nightmare and was declared "never again". Magic stars on the roof, jube jube snowman and chocolate button path. One scary looking giant gingerbread man has multipied to four.
2013
Boy is now 11 and girl 9 and this is their most ambitious project yet. Auntie Adele is ageless. The white chocolate button roof was inspired by Mary Berry's house on the Christmas Bake Off Masterclass. The other side was mini chocolate fingers and both were adorned with smartie or jelly tot fairy lights. The giant gingerbread men were replaced with mini versions each decorated by and to represent the three creators. The marshmallow snowman proved tricky and had to be downsized and held together with a cocktail stick. Icing sugar snow was replaced with Silver Shimmer Spray. Even the Brussels Sprout sparkled.
It tasted as good as it looked. My personal favourite bit was the mint matchmaker windows. Discussions have already been had for the 2014 version. The main proposed addition being stained glass windows and an internal light.
Best get that planning application in. Should really have forced Auntie Adele to open her mimihammill.com Gingerbread House Teatowel before construction commenced. The inclusion of a Jammy Dodger feature window is inspired and will definately be featuring in the 2014 design.
