How to Make a Gingerbread House From Scratch

"Growing up, I always envied the kids who built gingerbread houses at home. My family and I rarely baked together in Brooklyn: Like many Asian diaspora families, we stored pots and pans (and our rice cooker!) in the oven. When I became a mom, I made sure my son got to experience some holiday magic as defined by American culture. We started with store-bought kits from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's."

"But after seeing the incredible from-scratch gingerbread houses made by members of Subtle Asian Baking - the online community I founded in 2020 - I set out to perfect the ultimate recipe for a gingerbread house, one even first-time bakers can master at home. What I discovered was that the process was harder than I expected - a true labor of love - but it's worth every minute and so satisfying to complete."

"Even with lopsided walls and melty gummies, each house tells a story and holds precious memories. For me, finally building a gingerbread house from scratch created a new tradition for my son and me, as we both found a sense of belonging together as third-culture kids in America. Like our home, the sweetest gingerbread houses are the ones we build side by side."

Growing up, baking rarely happened at home; pots, pans, and a rice cooker were stored in the oven. As a parent, the narrator introduced an American-style holiday ritual using store-bought gingerbread kits. Inspiration from Subtle Asian Baking's from-scratch creations motivated a push to perfect a beginner-friendly homemade recipe. The building process proved harder than expected, requiring patience and becoming a labor of love. Imperfect houses still provide satisfaction, storytelling, and treasured memories. Completing a from-scratch gingerbread house created a new mother-child tradition and fostered a sense of belonging as third-culture kids. Collaborative building enhances the experience.

Read at Eater