Is there an alternative to a gingerbread house?

[SpringSunshineandTulips]

My three have asked me to get a build your own gingerbread house kit - the only thing is they don’t really like to eat it as not keen on gingerbread. Are there any alternatives out there that I haven’t seen?

I think cadburys used to do a house.

www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk/cadbury-dairy-milk-christmas-cottage-kit.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAq8f-BRBtEiwAGr3DgapS6HUrCcv6ywRST-720WXVsJQpJzX-4YpLy-m7FetIjn1TpUxE3xoC-OIQAvD_BwE

[quote EvilPea]www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk/cadbury-dairy-milk-christmas-cottage-kit.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAq8f-BRBtEiwAGr3DgapS6HUrCcv6ywRST-720WXVsJQpJzX-4YpLy-m7FetIjn1TpUxE3xoC-OIQAvD_BwE[/quote]
£16 plus pp for 6 bars of choc and 2 fun size flakes and 2 small bags of buttons.

I would buy that separately and tie it with a ribbon I think OP

I love that but yes, a bit expensive. Would have gone down a treat though!

I think one of the reasons they are usually made of gingerbread is because gingerbread is quite robust. Something like shortbread might crumble too easily.

You could make a gingerbread recipe, but leave out the ginger, and maybe flavour with something else. There are loads of templates online that you could use for making the biscuit shapes.

www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/cakes/chocolate-christmas-house

bakeplaysmile.com/chocolate-christmas-house/

One of these?

Could you do a shortbread village? I don't think they would stand up as big as as a gingerbread house, so you'd have to do normal sized square or rectangular biscuits.

You could then glue together with a piped stiff icing like you use on a gingerbread house.

E.g. www.alamy.com/stock-image-cute-and-sweet-christmas-gingerbread-village-with-snowman-and-trees-165261533.html

But made with shortbread. Then the fact shortbread probably isn't as strong wouldn't matter as much.

Shortbread likes to be eaten pretty quickly if homemade but is also so tasty that I doubt that would be an issue.

I agree with PPs suggestions to just leave out the spice. It’s all the golden syrup that makes it more robust I think. Could add cinnamon instead?

Gingerbread houses don’t get eaten here as they’re too nice to demolish

Thanks for all the ideas. I love the sound of a chocolate one. I may have a look at the one posted with instructions. My three would love to spend a morning making that although I’m not that creative so if it went wrong / couldn’t get it to stick etc it would be a nightmare 🤣

Lake land did a silicone mould to make cottages from chocolate but they are quite small. Perfect for a little village though? No idea if they still do them but you should be able to find one some where. I've attached a picture. I use mine to make chocolate and plaster of Paris models for my kids to paint.

I get a chocolate biscuit one from here every year, they're fun and delicious!

www.villageworkshop.co.uk/store

www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes/christmas-cookie-houses-recipe/5ulngs3j

I did these last year. Basically ice packet biscuits together and decorate. Dead easy and less mess.

You can get those moulds on ebay for a few quid, coupled with relatively inexpensive chocolate and some sweets,would be good for a morning activity.

Nb unless you temper the chocolate it will look a bit dull and wont have that nice snap, but it wont impact the taste at all.

This is my ideal alternative to a gingerbread house - a charcuterie chalet!! Might not be quite so kid friendly though

Check out Ann reardon of 'How to cook that' on you tube op. She has loads of ideas.

Thanks all. Will look through these properly when the kids are in bed.

Those kits are not meant to be eaten. The gingerbread is rock hard. If you want to eat the house you need to make it from scratch and it still won’t be great because you do need a pretty sturdy dough. We make houses and gingerbread cookies with different recipes.

Maybe use rice cereal and marshmallow treats as a base.

@FraggleShingleBellRock

Lake land did a silicone mould to make cottages from chocolate but they are quite small. Perfect for a little village though? No idea if they still do them but you should be able to find one some where. I've attached a picture. I use mine to make chocolate and plaster of Paris models for my kids to paint.

We've got one of those from eBay and will be using cheap chocolate and dolly mixtures to make it this weekend.