Silly Cake Gingerbread House Disaster (Print View)

Build a playful house from cake, decorate with candies, and embrace creative disasters for festive fun.

# Components:

→ Cake

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1 cup whole milk
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Frosting

12 - 3 cups powdered sugar
13 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
14 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Decorations

16 - 1 cup assorted candies (gumdrops, candy canes, jelly beans, etc.)
17 - 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
18 - 1/2 cup pretzel sticks
19 - 1/4 cup chocolate chips
20 - Sprinkles
21 - Colored sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch square cake pans with baking paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
04 - Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, starting and ending with flour blend. Mix just until combined.
05 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
06 - Allow cakes to cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
07 - In a clean bowl, beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar. Stir in vanilla extract and add milk, a tablespoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
08 - Once cakes are completely cool, cut into shapes for the house structure. Use one cake for the base and roof, and the other cake for the walls and any extra features. Irregular cuts add to the playful design.
09 - On a cake board or large plate, arrange the cake pieces into a house form. Use frosting as adhesive between cake sections. A leaning or slightly collapsed construction enhances the whimsical effect.
10 - Attach candies, mini marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate chips to the house using extra frosting as glue. Create snow, icicles, and fun details; fill in any gaps or ‘disasters’ with more frosting.
11 - Sprinkle generously with colored sugar and sprinkles. Allow assembled cake house to set for 30 minutes before serving or displaying.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to customize with your favorite candies and cake flavors
  • No special molds or fancy baking skills needed
  • Kids can do most of the decorating with just a little help
  • Definitely more forgiving than traditional gingerbread construction
02 -
  • Vegetarian friendly for most diets
  • Great group activity for all ages
  • Perfect for using up leftover holiday candies
03 -
  • Chill the cakes before slicing so shapes hold their form with less crumbling
  • If walls collapse patch them with extra frosting and candies for extra character
  • Let kids run wild with the decorations this is definitely not the place for perfection just a big dose of kitchen laughter

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