Gingerbread Houses

Some years back I started a tradition with my niece, nephew, and oldest daughter decorating gingerbread houses. I bought a $5 kit and we each had our own. The next year I couldn't find any that price they were all at least $10 so I decided to figure out what we could do to have the fun without the price.

My dad is handy so I had him build some houses based on graham cracker dimensions. He purchased enough plywood for 4 houses (1 for each grandkid) and began building. They are very sturdy and so are the bases, unlike those plastic ones the kits come with.

I cover them with freezer paper...

Make royal icing and attach graham crackers to the base...

I purchase cheap gum drops, fruit slices, etc and we use those to decorate with. Any leftovers hit the freezer til the next year. We still save a lot of money and they are built to last and be easily taken home without crumbling or the fear of them falling off the base.

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Here are a few different years we made them.

2006

2008

2010

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Cookies

2/3 cup butter
1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites, beaten
walnuts, finely chopped
frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Add half of the flour with sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined. Beat in remaining flour. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle. Shape into 1 inch balls (slightly overfill small cookie scoop.) Roll in egg whites, then in walnuts. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Press center down with your thumb. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are slightly brown. Cool. Fill centers with frosting. If you like, tint your frosting to match the occasion.  Makes 28-30 cookies.

These cookies are easy to freeze if they make it that far! Bring to room temperature before serving.