Baking gluten-free gingerbread is a delightful journey that opens the door to endless gingerbread possibilities, from charming gingerbread houses to enchanting gingerbread villages and regal gingerbread castles. Let's embark on this gluten-free gingerbread adventure together! 🍪✨
Ingredients:
For the Gingerbread:
- 200g unsalted butter
- 150ml golden syrup
- 125g light brown sugar
- 450g gluten-free plain flour (I used FREEE by Doves Farm)
- 0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1.5 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 tsp grated nutmeg
- 5 tsp ground ginger
For the Icing:
- 1 tsp orange extract (optional, but it gives a beautiful flavour)
- 250g royal icing sugar
- 25-30ml cold water
Creating Your Gingerbread Masterpiece:
Step 1: Preparing the Gingerbread Dough
Let's start by crafting the heart of your gingerbread creation – the gingerbread dough. In a small saucepan, combine unsalted butter, golden syrup, and light brown sugar. Place it over low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve. Be gentle; avoid boiling or bubbling to prevent it from turning into toffee.
In a spacious mixing bowl (or using a stand mixer), combine gluten-free plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, xanthan gum, grated nutmeg, and ground ginger. Stir them together and create a well in the centre.
Now, pour the melted butter and sugar mixture into this well and mix until you achieve a firm and cohesive cookie dough. If you're using a stand mixer, this will take about a minute. If you're using a wooden spoon, it might take a couple of minutes. If the spoon isn't doing the job, don't hesitate to get your hands in there to knead the dough.
You should now have a beautifully smooth and pliable gingerbread dough. It might still be warm, so transfer it onto a piece of cling film, wrap it up snugly, and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. If you need to leave it longer, a gentle knead with your hands before using it will prevent any crumbling.
Step 2: Crafting Your Gingerbread Template
As your gingerbread dough chills, it's time to unlock your imagination and craft your very own gingerbread masterpiece. At Redbrick Gingerbread, we offer a world of inspiration for your gingerbread journey, including a remarkable selection of gingerbread templates and cookie cutters that will ignite your creativity.
Step 3: Baking Your Gingerbread Pieces
With your dough well-rested and your template ready, it's time to bring your gingerbread creation to life. Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan).
Roll out the gingerbread dough on a sheet of non-stick baking paper until it's slightly thicker than a $2 coin, approximately 7mm thick.
To cut out the shapes for your gingerbread house, use a pizza wheel cutter or a sharp knife. Begin with the two long walls. Rather than trying to lift the shape onto the tray, cut the baking paper and transfer it directly to the baking tray. This method helps maintain the shape.
Remember to leave some space between the gingerbread pieces, as they will spread slightly during baking. After cutting, gather the dough scraps, recombine, and reroll. Cut out more pieces and repeat until you've used all the dough. You should have two rectangular long walls, two rectangular roof pieces, and two end walls in the shape of a house. If desired, cut out window and door shapes or leave them to be added later with icing.
For even baking, it's best to bake the pieces one tray at a time, each with two pieces of the house. Additionally, you'll need to do some trimming while the gingerbread is still warm. They will come out of the oven soft, so leave them on the tray and trim them immediately. To do this, place your original template on top of each piece and trim to return the gingerbread to your intended shape (see images above). Then, allow them to firm up for 10 minutes before transferring them carefully to a wire cooling rack. Repeat this process until all 6 pieces of gingerbread are baked and have cooled completely.
Now that your gingerbread canvas is ready, you're all set to unleash your creativity and decorate your gluten-free gingerbread masterpiece. Stay tuned for more gingerbread decorating magic! 🌟🏠