As the wreath falls…

                               And just like that, Christmas 2022 is over 

Gingerbread Houses

One of my favs 2022
Ice skating gummy bears

 Every year, just before Christmas, I spend a week baking Gingerbread houses.  I invite my young nieces, my older nieces and my sister.  This year I baked and assembled 5 gingerbread houses and 1 glass (Jolly Ranchers) house.  I buy tons of squeezable icing, candy, and assorted decorating edibles.  

Lots of baking using Pampered Chef molds

Baking takes several days because one mold makes only half a house.   I have 3 molds so I bake 1 and 1/2 houses a night.   They need to cool completely and lie flat.

Assembly

Assembly is a two person job, one to apply the ‘glue’ (icing) and one to hold it in place while the glue sets.

Jolly Rancher and Starburst placement

Every year we have both glass and gingerbread houses.  I let them decide what I put together for them.  The glass houses are very cool cos you can put a tea light in and it lights up!   But…. Even in December they don’t hold up well in the Florida heat and the roofs slide off and walls fall in.  But super cool while they last!

Melts into a tasty piece of glass

Ready to party!

And finally the table is set, houses are ready and the holiday tradition commences!!