Sunday Sweets: Holly Jolly Gingerbread Houses

Have you ever tried to make a gingerbread house? I did once, with a kit and my mom to help. It turned out pretty terrible, tasted even worse, and after that gingerbread and I went our separate ways.

And yet, every year, I can't help it:

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(The Gingerbread Journal, Texas)

I must find the prettiest gingerbread houses, and then I must STARE AT THEM LONGINGLY.

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 (Baker unknown. Help?)

[Longing Stare increases]

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(Kate Glazova, Russia)

I look at gingerbread houses the way other people look at Sarah McLachlan pet commercials.

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(Catherine Beddall, Canada)

::whisper sobbing:: It's just so beautiful.

 Look at those rock candy trees! And the fluffy snow drifts!

This one has clever cinnamon stick "logs" stacked outside:

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 (Blau Kitchen)

 

And this one I'd like to live in:

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 (The Gingerbread Journal, tutorial here)

Fruit Stripe window shutters! It's all so happy and sweet, I'm swooning.

It's a proven fact that if you add a light inside your gingerbread house it becomes 900% more magical:

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(Maribel Rios Arts Biscuits, Spain)

The little bunny cookie helps, too. 

Though many would argue a gingerbread house made entirely of CHOCOLATE is even better:

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(Star Bakery, Nottingham)

OooOOooooh. If they ever make these in dark chocolate then I'm in trouble/heaven.

 This rainbow neon triple-decker reminds me of the Burrow in Harry Potter:

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(Freed's Bakery, Las Vegas)

I think Mrs. Weasely would approve.

And finally, an over-the-top forest fairy house that made my jaw hit the keyboard:

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(Catherine Beddall, Canada)

WOW.

You guys go on, I'll just be over here... staring. ::wistful sigh::

 

I hope these gave you a smile, and that your week is just as Sweet!

*****

If you also love gingerbread houses - and are feeling ambitious enough to actually make one - then check out this book!

A Year of Gingerbread Houses

It's by the baker of TWO of today's houses, Kristine of The Gingerbread Journal!
Includes instructions, templates, and inspiration galore.

(This is not sponsored, btw; I only realized Kristine made 2 of today's houses AFTER I'd written the post, so that was a fun surprise!)

*****

And from my other blog, Epbot: