Graham Cracker Gingerbread House-

 
 

If you're looking for a way to make cute gingerbread houses QUICK, this is your lucky day!

These guys can take less than 10 minutes if you're in a hurry, and are a great alternative to your standard gingerbread houses when you need to make several in a pinch.

I came across the idea for these easy gingerbread houses when my 14 year old, Kati asked if all 7 of her friends could make gingerbread houses at her birthday party- 5 days away!!

My first thought was, "oh my gosh, I should've started baking like a week ago!!"

My second thought was, "how much will 8 gingerbread houses cost?"

Fast forward-

These graham cracker houses were a hit at the party, so I decided to let Kati show you guys how incredibly easy it is... Have fun!!

Set up your supplies:

Graham Crackers- they even make Gingerbread flavored grams now, so-score!

Store bought icing- I'd usually make a batch of royal icing for my gingerbread houses, but in a pinch this store bought icing in a can works great too.

Candy- keep in mind that these houses are on the smaller size, so you might want to scale down the size of your candy as well.

A cake plate, or something flat to use as a base for your house.

A spatula, or dull knife to apply the icing

a serrated knife for cutting the grahams.

 Cut 2 of your grahams into a point with your serrated knife. These will be the front and the back of the house. You'll need 4 full sized grahams for the 2 sides of the house and the roof.
 

Once you cut the first graham you can place it on the other graham you need to cut, as a guide. You want them to have the same angled cuts, so the roof sits evenly on top.

This is the icing we used. It doesn't get rock hard, like royal icing does, but does firm up after an hour or so.

Spread a good amount of icing onto your base. This will act as the "glue" that will stick your house to the base.
 

I like to start with one of the sides and the back, so they can balance on each other. Kind of like building a house of cards. Continue spreading a thin amount of icing on everything you want to stick together. Once the base is built spread icing to the backs of your roof pieces, add them on top.

Time to decorate.

And here's our finished house. We're keeping this one as a decoration, so we added a couple of cute, inedible touches.
 

The decorations, including the adorable sisal trees and wreath, as well as the candy found in this post are from Oriental Trading. 

You can find these items here-

http://m.orientaltrading.com/party-supplies/candy/christmas-a1-551289+1240-1.fltr

I received items from Oriental Trading. The review is based strictly on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the products listed above. I was provided the samples free of charge by the company or PR agency and I provided my honest opinion. No other type of compensation was received for this review.

Happy Decorating xo

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Flour Box Bakery's Cookie Collaboration {Bride's Magazine}

I am so glad you stopped by today,  I finally get to reveal this cool project I had the pleasure of being a part of!  The incredibly talented, Anne Yorks of Flour Box Bakery has put together her 2nd cookie collaboration, including some fantastic cookie decorators.

Each decorator chose their theme from a list that Ann provided, mine was, "Destination Wedding".  Then we were asked to choose a page out of the May addition of Brides Magazine as inspiration, I fell in love with the page, "Mediterranean Charm".

I was immediately attracted to the corals and blues on this page!  A color scheme I have long loved, and right on trend for spring and summer.   I wanted to concentrate on the gorgeous flowers but also wanted to make that cute bowtie!!

I've never been to the Mediterranean but knew that I needed to convey charm and romance.  To achieve this I used a thick, gold frame around the happy couple (resembles me and my husband, Matt a little!!!)  I love monograms so I mirrored the beautiful, hand-painted plates in the magazine and turned them into cookies that would make the perfect favors for this wedding.  The hearts are covered in lace to tie in the delicate, wedding dress.  The cake and flowers, lets just say I spent a very, very long time making and remaking the flowers until they were worthy of the shoot! ; ))

If I could re-do my wedding I would have these wedding cake cookies on everyone's place setting, how gorgeous would that be!!?!

...or maybe these bridal bouquet cookies!

I hope you like my cookie version of Mediterranean charm!!!  To see the whole cookie project, head over to Flour Box Bakery.  
A huge THANK YOU to my awesome photographer Nicole Francisco, if you are in the Philadelphia area you need to look her up at Expressions by Nicole Marie.  She was practically laying on the ground to get these perfect shots and is 9 months pregnant, that's dedication!!!

Awww....Matt + Linda  XO

St. Patrick's Day Bridal Shower Cake~

I loved making this ruffled cake for a bride who's getting married on Saint Patrick's Day!   {ruffles, pearls and shoes~ My faves!} xo