BANANA (GINGER) BREAD HOUSES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line three 8-inch disposable loaf pans with parchment paper and set aside.
• 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.
• 3. Cream together the butter and sugar on high, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs and beat until well combined. Stir in the bananas and vanilla extract.
• 4. Add the dry ingredients and blend until just combined. Use a rubber spatula to incorporate the batter as best you can from the bottom. Divide evenly among the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 55 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• 5. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese, and butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, a cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all the powdered sugar has been added, add the salt milk and cream and beat on high until smooth and fluffy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl (or several bowls if you plan on coloring them with food coloring).
• 6. To make the royal icing, in a large mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder and cream of tartar. Add the water and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined; beat on high speed for 7-10 minutes or until mixture is very stiff.
• 7. To assemble the houses, remove the loaves from the pans. Working with one at a time, cut and stack as desired to create the base of each house and a roof. Use a serrated knife to carve out the banana bread to desired look. You can apply a thin layer of cream cheese frosting to ensure the pieces hold.
• 8. Once the houses have been assembled, decorate as you'd like using the cream cheese frosting, royal icing and various candies!