Simple Homemade Gingerbread House

Add the brown sugar, milk, butter, and honey in a saucepan.

Heat on the stove, stirring until the ingredients melt. Avoid boiling.

Let the syrup cool; it should be warm or room temperature.

Meanwhile, start planning your house's design. Keep graph paper, a ruler, a pen, and scissors handy.

Our father, who played "architect," developed a successful project, you'll find our house dimensions in the last step.

Cut out the house pieces on paper; these templates will help in cutting the dough.

Continue by mixing flour, baking powder, and spices in a bowl.

Since I ran out of brown sugar but wanted darker dough, I added 1 teaspoon of cocoa.

Add the cooled syrup and 1 egg to the flour mixture.

Knead the dough first with a spatula/spoon, then with your hands.

You'll get a soft, slightly sticky dough.

Tear off pieces, roll out until 0.5mm thick using flour, and transfer to baking paper. Cut house pieces according to paper templates.

Repeat for all house pieces and transfer them onto a baking tray with the paper.

Bake each piece at 200 degrees for 8-10 minutes. They bake quickly, so watch carefully to avoid burning. Allow them to cool.

Use remaining dough for extra items like a mini house, figures, or cookies.

Prepare the "glue" when ready to assemble the house.

Make caramel using 100g sugar and 3 tablespoons water. Melt in the microwave or on the stove until slightly yellow, about 2-3 minutes.

Caramel benefits: walls solidify quickly and set nicely.

Negative: work swiftly and carefully to avoid burns, especially with children. Reheat if it hardens.

Here you see the family's collective efforts. Someone holds pieces, another applies caramel, while kids watch.

Once the house is assembled, let the caramel set before continuing to decorate.

Whisk egg whites until stiff and gradually add powdered sugar.

Decorate based on your creativity and skill.

Use commercial decorations like chocolate balls if desired.

Our family decorated a large house and a smaller one, notably crafted by mom and Sofi respectively.

The smaller house pleased Sofi, who couldn't wait to taste it once built.

This effort brings immense joy to children.

The larger house sits under the tree, ready for Santa's visit.

Here are the house wall dimensions:

1. Base - 12cm x 18cm

2. Large side walls (2 pieces) - 10cm x 16cm, one with a door and 2 windows.

3. Roof (2 pieces) - 8.5cm x 18.5cm

4. Small walls (with roof angle) (2 pieces) - base 10cm, walls 10cm, sides 7cm; optionally add a window.

Good luck with your project!