I was inspired by my friend Birdy's family, who decorate gingerbread houses from scratch every year. I should know by now, that when I have a thought that begins with "how hard could it be," I should run like hell in the opposite direction! Alas, even at 40, I still have not learned.
The dough was relatively easy, and although time consuming the cutting of 7 gingerbread houses (one extra-just in case) went without error. However, the next morning when it came to building... visions of the croquembouche disaster for my son's birthday came to light. I decided that spun sugar would dry more quickly than royal icing (big mistake!) Whomever invented spun sugar must have been Satan's son-it is truly the most unforgiving concoction in the world of baking. Needless to say after 3 hours of frustration and house rubble, I finally found the right boiling point...or so I thought. Hours later all 6 houses lay in a heap. Enter toothpicks-I could kiss whomever invented those life savers.
In the end it was worth it-I think. Grandma and Grandpa took theirs home, but you can see the final six at the end. :)
