How To: Gingerbread but Lounge Lovers Style!

Gingerbread houses - they're one of the best traditions around Christmas however what do our gingerbread house residents sit on?! This year we've decided to up the ante and go the extra mile with some gingerbread furniture!

Check out our recipe below and print off our templates to make some favourite Lounge Lovers pieces to finish off your gingerbread house in style!

Gingerbread Furniture (Lounge Lovers Style!)

Ingredients:

  • 200g dark brown sugar
  • 140g golden syrup
  • 200g butter
  • Zest of 1 lemon or orange
  • 4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp clove
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 500g plain flour

 For the Royal icing (glue):

  • 250g icing sugar
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 medium lightly beaten egg white

Before you start, download, print, and cut out your Lounge Lovers furniture templates by clicking on the image below.

Method:

1. Combine the brown sugar, golden syrup, butter, citrus zest and spices into a medium saucepan on medium heat. Stir while the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a shimmer. Bring to bubbling point then take the pan off the heat.

2. In a large mixing bowl sift the flour and add the salt, pour in the sugar mixture and gently stir to combine. Once the sticky mixture comes together into a dough. scrape down the sides of the bowl and give it a quick knead.

3. Wrap the dough in plastic. Place in the fridge for at least 1 hr to set and to allow for the flavours of the spices to come out. N.B:The dough can be made beforehand and kept in the fridge for a few days.

4. Preheat the oven to 180°, line two large cookie baking trays with baking paper and set aside.

5. Take the dough out of the fridge and slice it into quarters, place 3 quarters back in the fridge so you work with one at a time.

6. At a large surface in your home, lay a large piece of baking paper out. Place the dough on top of the paper and place another layer on top of the dough so it's sandwiched between the paper. This prevents the dough from sticking to the surface and the rolling pin.

7. Roll out the dough to be approximately 3-5mm thick.

8. Cut the templated shape out of the dough and bake gingerbread for 8-10 minutes (longer if you prefer a firmer bake)

9. Remove the gingerbread from the oven and allow it to fully cool and harden (if the gingerbread is still hot, the pieces will easily break and the icing will melt).

10. To make the Royal icing, combine all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl; you're looking for a thick glue like style of icing which forms peaks rather than a drizzle style icing. If the icing is too thick, add 1/2 tsp of water at a time to the mixture, if the icing is too runny add a 1/2 cup of icing sugar at a time.

11. Add 5-7 tbsp of icing at a time to a piping bag with a small nozzle attached, twist the top end of the bag to take out any air pockets. Cover the remaining icing in the bowl. It is easier to pipe with a small amount in the piping bag (Not to worry - if you don't have a piping bag, a snap lock bag with a small hole cut in a corner will do the job!).

12. Using the icing like glue, ice along the edges of the furniture pieces and assemble. (Pro tip: use something like a cup to hold the furniture up while the icing sets.) 

13. Once you have assembled your furniture make sure you leave the icing to set for at least an hour.

Want to shop the gingerbread look? Check out the featured products below!