Is using chocolate instead of royal icing for a gingerbread house more difficult?
Heston Blumenthal's recipe states royal icing or melted chocolate to build his gingerbread house.
Until now I've used an eggless substitute for royal icing with adequate results, although it's trickier. Am I asking for even more trouble with the chocolate?
I have some experience dipping truffles in tempered chocolate. I won't burn or tighten the chocolate, but I don't know if it will hold up.
Tips?
Best Answer
Just went for it by following directions here: http://www.taste.com.au/good+taste/article/good+times/make+a+gingerbread+house,635
I will say that "Set aside for 3-5 minutes. The chocolate sets quickly" was very optimistic. Needed to balance roof on supports til chocolate was hard -an hour! Yes, it cooled quickly but did not become hard til then. Used 50% dark chocolate (no milk)
About as tricky in the end as eggless icing but less messy, funnily enough. Seems secure enough now. My gingerbread sections are already absorbing some room moisture so we shall see how the whole thing holds up...
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Can you use chocolate to stick gingerbread houses together?
For the ambitious, white chocolate can also be used to construct gingerbread houses. It attaches house pieces together and can be used to affix decorations to the house. White chocolate scorches at a lower temperature than dark chocolate, so the Proofer's accurate temperature control can be particularly helpful.What can I use instead of royal icing on a gingerbread house?
Alternative to Royal Icing for Gluing a Gingerbread House- 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
- 1/4 cup water.
- 1 Tablespoons light corn syrup (or gluten free brown rice syrup - Lundberg brand)
Can you use melted chocolate for gingerbread house?
Use the melted chocolate to \u201cglue\u201d the house corners together. After the house base sets, connect the roof by adding melted chocolate to the top of the front and back of the house. Add the tree and gingerbread men to the cake board by applying a small amount of melted chocolate to the bottom of each piece.How do you stick a gingerbread house to chocolate?
Just melt the sugar in a pan over low heat. You want to allow it to turn brown, but make sure not to burn it (otherwise it won't taste so great). Then take your gingerbread house pieces, dip the edges in melted sugar and hold them together for a few seconds. That's it!Easy Royal Icing Recipe - Perfect for Gingerbread Houses and more
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Answer 2
A light touch of melted chocolate on the roof never hurt anyone. I already tried and the house holds up very well!
Answer 3
I recently made a thick simple syrup to reattach the limbs of some broken gingerbread men (I put a thick coat on both ends, pressed firmly together, then let sit to harden). I also make frosting with just powdered sugar and warm water; it doesn't have the same cementing ability as the syrup did, however. In my experience, melted chocolate has very little cementing ability. Good luck! :)
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