AMSTERDAM GINGERBREAD HOUSES

Making gingerbread houses has been a holiday tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, with my family living in San Diego, normal gingerbread houses collapse due to humidity. Lucky for me, the dancing canal houses in Amsterdam are one of my favorite holiday scenes, and can their 2D design can be built from gingerbread even in the moist California climate. The simplicity also makes this a great project for beginner gingerbread architects. Keep reading for tips on making your own Amsterdam Gingerbread Houses!

Step 1. Print off the Amsterdam Gingerbread Templates and cut out the houses.

Step 2. Make your dough. I used three different types of gingerbread to get varied colors and flavors. The darkest houses are made with chocolate, and the middle tone is a standard gingerbread recipe. The light houses were made using a normal gingerbread recipe with honey substituted for the molasses.

Step 3. Roll and cut out the dough. Place a layer of parchment paper under the dough and a layer of plastic wrap over to roll. Then use a small kitchen knife to cut around the house templates. You'll need to cut out two gingerbread triangles for each house to prop them upright.

Step 4. Bake the gingerbread according to the recipes instructions. If the dough spreads, you may need to cut the houses again while the gingerbread is still warm. Crush up butterscotch candies and spoon the pieces into the windows. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 minutes until the candy has melted. While the houses are cooling make some royal icing.

Step 5. Decorate your houses with the royal icing and allow them to harden. Then attach the triangles to the backs of the houses, allowing them to stand upright.

As always, remember to share your creations on social media by tagging @diyintheforest and sharing with #diyintheforest. Also check out my other Dancing Canal House inspired projects like Amsterdam Invitations, and Christmas Countdown.