While the holidays have past, some classic treats still remain tasty all year long! Now introducing gingerbread houses! When you think about it I’m not really introducing this treat because everyone (except those who live under a rock) knows what a gingerbread house is. Building gingerbread houses is a classic that everyone enjoys.

Gingerbread Houses Origin Story

Gingerbread houses originated during the 16th century in Germany and grew in popularity when the Brothers Grimm wrote the legendary story of Hansel and Gretel.  The gingerbread houses from Hansel and Gretel are represented by the wicked witch’s house, which is made out of gingerbread covered in candy and frosting. 

Decorating gingerbread houses became a tradition in Germany in the early 1800s. The first to make gingerbread houses were German bakers.  The bakers took descriptions from the gingerbread house in the Hansel and Gretel story and began constructing their own take. This became popular around Christmas as it is now. 

But how did this tradition appear in America? The tradition of Gingerbread houses found themselves in America when German Immigrants settled in the state Pennsylvania in 1727-1775.

How To Make?

Run to your nearest Target, Meijer, Kroger, or Whole Foods and grab yourself a gingerbread house making kit! There are many different themes such as Sour Patch Kids, Football stadium, Candy Land, etc, that will fit your liking.  If you don’t like gingerbread, don’t fear: they come in chocolate chip and sugar cookie form. 

Expectations vs. Reality 

In our journalism class,we conducted a highly scientific experiment, the ultimate challenge: to make a gingerbread house in one hour. Now if I’m being honest, our expectations weren’t that high to begin with just because I know how clumsy journalists can be. 

We thought the hardest part about putting the house together would be to make the sides stay together after we glued it with the frosting. Luckily, we didn’t have to worry about that because the house came with interlocking indents (shown in the image below) that helped the house support itself without having to rely on the frosting.

 A major fail was putting the pastry bag together and doing the cutest designs with it.  Surprisingly the end result was amazing but credit is owed to expert decorator Peyton Oleksinski for assisting me through the building and the decorating process. 

Happily Ever After 

Making gingerbread houses or any kind of holiday treat is a fun way to spend the holiday season.: It’s fun because it gives you a chance to express your creativity and spend time with family & friends.

Modern Day Gingerbread Houses 

With the holidays approaching we here at the Skyline Post thought why not talk about a creative, fun, delicious, holiday treat. Now introducing gingerbread houses!! When you think about it I’m not really introducing this treat because everyone (except those who live under a rock) knows what a gingerbread house is. Building gingerbread houses is a classic that everyone enjoys.

Gingerbread Houses Origin Story

Gingerbread houses originated during the 16th century in Germany. They became more popular when the Brothers Grimm wrote the legendary story of Hansel and Gretel.  The significance of gingerbread houses from the story is Hansel and Gretal approach the wicked witch’s house which is made out of gingerbread covered in candy and frosting. Decorating gingerbread houses became a tradition in Germany in the early 1800s; The first to make gingerbread houses were German bakers.  The bakers took descriptions from the gingerbread house in the Hansel and Gretal story and began constructing their own take. This became popular around Christmas as it is now. But how did this tradition appear in America? The tradition of Gingerbread houses found themselves in America when German Immigrants settled in the state Pennsylvania in 1727-1775.

How To Make?

Run to your nearest Target, Meijer, Kroger, or Whole Foods and grab yourself a gingerbread house making kit! There’s many different themes such as Sour Patch Kids, Football stadium, Candy Land, etc, that will fit your liking.  If you don’t like gingerbread, don’t fear: they have it in chocolate chip and sugar cookie form. 

Expectations vs. Reality

In our journalism class, we conducted a highly scientific experiment, the ultimate challenge: to make a gingerbread house in one hour. Now if I’m being honest our expectations weren’t that high to begin with just because I know how clumsy journalists can be. We thought the hardest part about putting the house together would be to make the sides stay together after we glued it with the frosting. Luckily, we didn’t have to worry about that because the house came with interlocking indents (shown in the image below) that helped the house support itself without having to rely on the frosting. A major fail was putting the pastry bag together and doing the cutest designs with it.  Surprisingly the end result was amazing but credit is owed to expert decorator Peyton (insert last name) for assisting me through the building and the decorating process. 

Happily Ever After 

Making gingerbread houses or any kind of holiday treat is a fun way to spend the holiday season: It’s fun because it gives you a chance to express your creativity and spend time with family & friends. 

Gallery • 6 Photos

Laleh Walker