Gingerbread for All Seasons (Abradale Books) [Hardcover]

Teresa Layman (Author), Randy O'Rourke (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003 | Series: Abradale Books

"Teresa Layman takes the gingerbread house beyond Christmas into other times of year with a garden, a baby buggy, and a little red school house among other creations-a delightful book." -Library Journal

Gingerbread-it's not just for Christmas anymore. Great for the novice and the advanced baker alike, Gingerbread for All Seasons includes 20 projects, with patterns that range from such simple shapes as snowflakes to more ambitious gingerbread masterpieces such as a haunted house for Halloween and a Victorian Christmas cottage. Step-by-step instructions, actual-size templates, and layout diagrams accompany each project.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Miniature houses are all the rage in decorating, with gingerbread houses inspired by Hansel and Gretel still a perennial favorite at Christmastime. Layman (Gingerbread: Things To Make and Bake, Abrams, 1992) takes the gingerbread house beyond Christmas into other times of the year with a garden, a little red schoolhouse, and a lighthouse among other confectionery creations. There are full-size patterns and step-by-step instructions for 15 projects, all completely edible. Roofs are made of Wheat Chex or almonds, and construction materials include marzipan clay and white chocolate clay. The temptation to nibble must be overpowering. A delightful book.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810982366
• ISBN-13: 978-0810982369
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Seasonal

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book! A MUST HAVE!! October 3, 1999

By Becky

Format:Hardcover

This is THE Best book I've come across on the subject of gingerbread house construction! (and I've read 8 of them!). The houses in the book are fabulous and really get the creative juices going! The pictures are great! There are clear instructions and patterns for each of the diffrent houses etc...I highly reccomended it!!!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to start a family tradition! January 9, 2000

By Thalia

Format:Hardcover

I abosolutely loved this book! I made three houses from this book with my two daughters. Gingerbread has become a holiday tradition for us and this book has great patterns. They are actual size which makes them easy to copy. I even organized a whole gingerbread village with my daugther's fourth grade class using patterns from this book and Teresa's first gingerbread book. We especially loved all of the accessory ideas in this book. The accessories such as trees, snowmen, toys, candies, walkways, lamposts, etc. really make a gingerbread house look magical! I hope Teresa comes out with more books because her ideas are terrific,creative and surprisingly easy!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful! June 16, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am again very impressed by Theresa Layman. The gingerbread houses are just magical, not only because of the easy to use designs, but also because of the attention that has been paid to the details, which make every project just about perfect.

A lot of ideas, not only for Christmas (although I LOVE the Santa sleigh) each and every one just lovely. The directions are extended and clear. I cannot wait to make them all!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DETAILS! October 19, 2004

By A. Spry

Format:Hardcover

I love making gingerbread houses. I've made quite a few, so I was looking for something with unique ideas. This houses in this book are very detailed. But don't let that scare beginners. One of the best things about this book is how it not only gives great ideas, but tells you how to use them. It starts with the patterns (great to have them full sized already) and tells you how to build the house from structure to finish. The variety and detail are wonderful. You could adapt each project to your own level of artistry. I would definitely recommend this as a keeper for the project shelf.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars elegant, elaborate, yet simple to make with her directions! March 15, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This exciting, colorful, magnificent book gives the best directions for making the designs shown. The ideas are detailed, explicit, and the photos are REAL. What a book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars This book needs a Caution sign November 9, 2011

By Camballogirl

Format:Hardcover

OK, yes, she's an artist. Yes, her designs are exquisite. But for love of all that's good and right in this world, why doesn't she come right out and say in big print before anything else, "You need a extremely-hard-to-find 3/8" 'window-pane' cookie cutter to do ANY of the house designs in this book."
I've been making gingerbread houses for years, and though I love Layman's designs, they do require the tiniest square cookie cutters on earth or you cannot make the patterns as pictured.
Even using an X-acto knife won't cut it, so to speak. The dough inevitably pulls and the windows looked crooked and distorted. Then you throw them away if you're a perfectionist like me.
Save yourself the stress and frustration and get the little square cookie cutter (I finally had one made and shipped to me by a company in Kansas called Coppergifts.com) if you're buying the book.
I read all the reviews hoping someone would come clean about this fact, but since no one mentioned it, I had to do it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Gingerbread book May 22, 2006

By C.S.

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have both of Teresa Layman's books on gingerbread, and this is my favorite of the two. If you enjoy making gingerbread structures, or just like practicing your decorating skill, this book is one you will turn to time and time again. What I like most about both of her books is how clear and detailed her instructions are on how things are put together, and how she uses items and ingredients that anyone can find anywhere, so that it is IMPOSSIBLE to mess it up. And even though the pictures look a bit intimidating, if you break each structure down into steps as she has laid out, and take it one thing at a time, you soon realize how simple they really are - they just LOOK impressive. The Haunted House is worth the price of the book all by itself! I loved making it - so much fun!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gingerbread for All Seasons October 7, 2005

By Marina J. Thompson

Format:Hardcover

I was very happy with this book. It has lots of patterns and ideas and gives full instructions of how to make gingerbread houses, lanterns and santa with his sleigh. I am sure I can make these houses come to life like in the book. The patterns are very simple, some are a bit harder but they are all there for anyone to look at. Thank you so much for my wonderful book.