Gingerbread Houses
by Christa Currie
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Book Reviews of Gingerbread Houses
Book Review: My personal gingerbread bible
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book a few years ago, and several gingerbread houses later, I'm still using it. In fact, a few of my pages have royal icing forever stuck to them as a testament to not only the effectiveness of the recipe, but the extent to which I've used it. At first glance, this book seems simple, but that's what makes it so great. It's written for the novice, as well as somebody who has been doing houses for a long time. I started out making houses from those simple kits in craft stores, and purchased this book to see I could do it on my own. The first year, I used the simple pattern in the book. I still use the recipes for both the icing and the gingerbread, as well as the candy glass for the windows. I also like to read through the suggestions for decorating tips and ideas. The illustrations could be better, and it would be great if there were real photos included, but this is a minor flaw. If you're looking for a step-by-step introduction to baking gingerbread houses, this is the book for you! It's also a lot less expensive than many others that I've seen here. Once you get started, you can easily find free plans for different houses online, and I even designed my own this year, but will always use this as my "go to" book for baking gingerbread houses.Book Review: Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I was really hoping for a basic gingerbread book - I've done the houses for years but it's always hit or miss on the recipe for the dough and icing. I was really hoping for some basic recipes and patterns and analysis on which was better for what and why. I think the icing that she recommends will work nicely and I'm sure the cookie recipe will be adequate but I'm not convinced that the pattern will work better than anything else out there.
She spends a lot of time talking about methods to decorate and very little on "here's the dough and the icing and the pattern that will work and here's what makes them different from what else is out there."
It's a well written book but very high level. It goes into so little detail that it's hard to imagine that this would really be the best book for someone who is new to this. If I'd wanted to be told that "trial and error" are the best methods I would have continued to utilize them and not wasted fifteen dollars on a book to tell me that.
I guess that's what it really boils down to... there is a lot of talking 'about' but very little talking about 'how' or 'why'.
I can't recommend this book.
Book Review: An Outstanding Resource for a Family Gingerbread Project
Summary: 5 Stars
Among the many books about building gingerbread houses, this is the best for beginners that I have found. Christa Currie has made countless houses in varying designs, won some prizes, and started a home business selling gingerbread houses. This book lays out the basics of building this confectionary delight, with simple instructions for creating the design and recipes for the gingerbread and the royal icing (or candy glue) that holds it together. There are detailed directions for decorating houses, recommendations for preservingthem from year to year, and ideas for marketing them for sale. The book is illustrated with pencil drawings, and helpful diagrams are supplied for most of the instructions.
Currie's expertise comes from enthusiasm and experience rather than gourmet training, and her practical advice (don't make the house taller than its width without additional support, for example) is perfect for the novice gingerbreader. Her writing is clear and readable, and personable without being too chatty. This is an outstanding resource for a family gingerbread project.
Book Review: All Fun No Worries
Summary: 5 Stars
Among the pages of chimney tips is the line "If it's a little crooked, that's okay, it only adds to the charm of the house." (p.44) Among the ideas for fences she mentions "Gates are useful if you're making a pattern in your fence and don't have quite enough room for that last pattern. That's a good place for a gate!" (p.86) And her favorite place to practice piping icing? Her kids hands. This is an author who knows how to take a potentially stressful, overwhelming project and make it what it's supposed to be: pure enjoyment.
I think the use of drawings instead of photographs reflect that. Instead of a picture of perfection to be copied, she gives you loads of enchanting illustrations that get your own ideas churning. Five stars for spectacular inspiration and clear, thorough instructions.
Book Review: You can't judge a book by its pictures
Summary: 5 Stars
My first reaction after receiving and flipping through the pages was, "What!". "No color photographs?" Well shame on me because this book is so well written, I never missed the absence of color photos. The decorating idea sketches are great and, again, the author did a great job of writing this book for beginners and intermediate as well. You won't find yourself scratching your head saying, "Huh??". I wonder what she means by that?" I'm hooked on gingerbread houses now and have made 6 in the last 3 weeks. The chapter on making your own patterns was also put to the test. My patterns came out perfect following the directions in this book. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This is the start of a new Christmas tradition at my house. R. Schaaf