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Family Friendly Fridays: The start of the Gingerbread House

October 15, 2010 By Julie 29 Comments

Ok guys, I’ve been really nervous to put this up here because it’s pretty rough and just starting out.  I think it has potential though, so I’m going to brave it and you’ll hopefully give me some feedback to help make it better.  I’ve read and been told that thinking outside the box (or outside the house as the case may be) is better when it comes to a gingerbread competition so I attempted to branch out a bit (no pun intended) and try something a little different.  I hunted around the internet and was inspired by this picture:

The idea of putting a house into a tree seemed pretty cool and it’s nature so it can be rather forgiving with it’s lines, which I definitely need.  So what do you think so far?

Of course, the obvious question is how the heck do you make a tree?  I pondered this problem for awhile and then came to the conclusion that I would make a plaster mold of a real tree to use as my model.  Alex and I went hunting around our back woods and here’s what we came up with.

Bring on the plaster.

I wrapped the plaster around the tree giving it about three layers and left it to dry.  Are you starting to see where this is going?

Once the plaster was dry I cut it off of the tree and here is what I was left with.

At first I tried placing the gingerbread on the inside of the mold, bark dirt and all, but that was an epic fail so next I covered the mold with aluminum on the inside and tried it that way.  No go as well.  I finally settled on covering the outside of the mold with aluminum and baking it that way.

I baked it up in two pieces because A. there’s no way I could bake a 360 degree cookie.  If someone has ideas, let me know! And B. I wanted to do some decorating on the inside of the tree as well so I figured leaving the back open would make it easier to work with on the inside.  Next I took a candle I had and made another semi circle mold to represent a root. I think I’ll make at least one more root before all is said and done.

And are you ready for what there is so far?  I’m pretty sure it won’t be winning any contests right now but go easy on me just the same.

Those pieces laying flat in front of the house are the door and the steps that will lead down from the door.  I hope to cover the house in some form of bark once I have it all baked, connected and finished.  Maybe fondant?  What do you all think?  I also plan to make some window glass for that circular window. The only part I haven’t really decided yet is whether to make it a full fledged tree or top it off and leave it as a stump.  Thoughts?  Opinions?

The next step is working on the inside.  I stopped at the gingerbread home depot store today and picked up some wood planks for the inside of the house.  I hope to lay them tomorrow.  In case you’re curious, they’re Asian noodles that have been painted with white chocolate that was tinted with a bit of brown food coloring.

So there it is.  It’s just the bare bones and there’s a lot to go, but you get the general gist.

I’m thinking it’s better than a first grader but not as good a teenager.  It can only go up right?  Alright back to work.

And don’t forget to link up below.  All family friendly links are welcome; recipes, crafts, vacations, and mom blog posts.  Have a great weekend!

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Filed Under: Everything Else, Family Friendly Fridays, Food, Other Tagged With: Christmas recipe

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Comments

  1. Julie @ Willow Bird Baking says

    October 15, 2010 at 6:52 am

    WHOA, Julie, I’m so impressed! I can’t believe you got that to bake up as a flippin’ TREE! It looks fabulous!!! I think I would have a hard enough time with your regular ol’ squared-house version!

    Reply
  2. Brenda says

    October 15, 2010 at 7:03 am

    I can’t even begin to tell you how impressed I am Julie! You have a TON of creative talent, you lucky thing. I’m like Julie, I’m not sure if I could even handle the square house version, lol. Way to go and good luck!

    Reply
  3. connie says

    October 15, 2010 at 7:34 am

    So cute – I absolutely love it!!

    Reply
  4. Katerina says

    October 15, 2010 at 9:12 am

    This is really inventive and you put so much effort on it. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

    Reply
  5. Sarah @ Mum In Bloom says

    October 15, 2010 at 9:28 am

    Julie are are amazing! Seriously! I suggest you make cute mazopan characters to live in it ;o) This looks like something we’d see on tv or in a magazine. I know you think it looks “elementary” but you’re at the beginning of your project still. Keep at it and I know it’ll be WONDERFUL. How inspiring!

    Reply
  6. ingrid says

    October 15, 2010 at 10:33 am

    WOW, Julie! I’m so impressed with what you’ve accomplished so far. It’s gonna be amazing. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing its progression.

    Happy Friday!
    ~ingrid

    • Chaplain Donna replied: — October 15th, 2010 @ 5:10 pm

      I agree Ingrid!

    Reply
  7. Alison@StretchMyCheck says

    October 15, 2010 at 10:53 am

    I think it is AWESOME and so creative! I can’t wait to see the completed wood planks and you crack me up with Gingerbread Home Depot 😀

    Reply
  8. Emily Z says

    October 15, 2010 at 11:38 am

    Fancy gingerbread house! I can’t wait to see the outcome! I’ve linked up my newest recipe to your family friendly Fridays!

    Reply
  9. megan @ whatmegansmaking says

    October 15, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    so impressive! I can’t believe what a huge job this is – you’re very creative. I love the wood planks idea 🙂

    Reply
  10. Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds says

    October 15, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    I’m totally impressed. I wouldn’t even hazard to make a fake gingerbread house out of graham crackers! You’ve got a whole tree house thing going. I think the medium is forgiving because you’ll cover all of the imperfections with icing an candy.

    And if it doesn’t turn out – eat it and try again!

    Reply
  11. Laura in Cancun says

    October 15, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    There’s a gingerbread home depot?!?! For real?

    I think it’s so cute 🙂

    Reply
  12. Lisa says

    October 15, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    That’s going to be fantastic! I would go to the Grove Park Inn when they have their competition just to check out the houses for inspiration. I love it.

    Reply
  13. anne says

    October 15, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    i think it’s got a WHOLE lot of potential, keep up the great work and i can’t wait to see the end product!! anne

    Reply
  14. Chaplain Donna says

    October 15, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    Oh my gosh! This is such a wonderful creation! I’m excited to see the final result. You are awesome!

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    October 15, 2010 at 5:55 pm

    Reminds me a little of the Keebler elves treehouse. Very cute! I would love to see it with leaves. Green cornflakes could work. You’ll come up with something! Can’t wait to see the progress.

    Reply
  16. Biren @ Roti n Rice says

    October 15, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    I am totally impressed! So far so good. Let the creative juices run. Can’t wait to see the progression.

    Reply
  17. Monet says

    October 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm

    So I was thinking about making a gingerbread house this afternoon…but even in my mind, my house in no way compares to the wonderful treehouse you are creating! What imagination! What skill! I’m very impressed, Julie. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Reply
  18. Gitte says

    October 16, 2010 at 4:26 am

    I am speechless here, truely. That is so creative. I love how your thinking outside “the house”. Can’t wait to see the end result.

    Reply
  19. Rita says

    October 16, 2010 at 11:34 am

    WOW! I am so impressed! You are a talent. I used to make a house with my kids at Christmas time with rice krispie squares and cookies; anxiouos to see how your turns out.
    Rita

    Reply
  20. Anna Johnston says

    October 16, 2010 at 8:24 pm

    Wow! What a star you are Julie. Fantastic idea, love your attitude here & can’t wait to see follow up posts on how the gingerbread tree house comes along. Big Wow Factor for me.

    Reply
  21. Holly L says

    October 17, 2010 at 2:00 am

    WOW! I am so excited to see the end result. We LOVE gingerbread houses…but ours are pretty lame…BUT we have fun making them!

    Reply
  22. Chef Dennis says

    October 17, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Julie

    that is so cool!!! my girls have to make a gingerbread house for a competition this year, and I have no idea where to start, since I have never made one….sigh…..you are so creative!

    Reply
  23. Maranda says

    October 17, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Wow! I think it looks great so far! You are so creative!!! I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Good luck!

    Reply
  24. Sommer @ A Spicy Perspective says

    October 17, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    Girl, that is dedication! I think you are totally onto something. Can’t wait to see the inside!

    Reply
  25. mangiabella says

    October 18, 2010 at 1:06 am

    Julie! I am a bit behind on my commenting but have been reading the posts, you continue to inspire me and I just love where you are going with this….keep shining sweet bella!!!

    Reply
  26. Amy from She Wears Many Hats says

    November 8, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Yea! Lookin good! Rice Krispy treats always work well for those weird shapes. Not sure if that’s allowed though.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Beef With Caramelized Onions & Red Peppers | Create With Joy says:
    June 20, 2011 at 8:34 am

    […] Sweet HomeFresh, Clean And Pure Friday at La Bella VitaFamily Food Fridays at Get Healthy CheapFamily Friendly Fridays at Mommie CooksFeature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints On The FridgeDIY Living Showcase (DIY Lifestyle) at The DIY […]

    Reply
  2. The Making of a Gingerbread House: Part 1 | Mommie Cooks! says:
    December 12, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    […] I wanted to challenge myself to see what I could come up with.  Some of you may remember my dismal attempt at “challenging” myself last year.  This go round I’ve gone a bit easier and […]

    Reply

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