Christmas Recipe: Gingerbread Cottage Cake - Charming, Easy and Vegan

Hello, dear readers,

It is time for a delicious Christmas recipe, perfect for dessert or tea time!

This Gingerbread Cottage Cake brings together a rich gluten-free brownie base and charming shortbread house decorations to create a dessert that feels like it’s straight out of a Christmas fairytale.

This recipe is featured in this video:

Before we get started, I’d love for you to take a peek at my FREE Holiday Gift Guide and the Cosy Winter Magazine for more ideas to make your winter season magical.

Ingredients

Brownie Base

This amazing recipe belongs to Matts Fit Chef. Visit his website and Instagram for more delicious creations!

• 3 ripe bananas

• ½ cup cacao powder

• ½ cup peanut butter

• Optional to assembly the decorations: hazelnut spread or similar

Shortbread Biscuits (Makes 6-8 biscuits)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ¼ cup powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp cacao powder

• ½ cup vegan butter, softened

Vegan Royal Icing

Note: This recipe yields 3-4 times what you’ll need to decorate the biscuits for the brownie.

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons soy cream

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Brownie Base (Link to Matts Fit Chef website)

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Mash the bananas in a bowl and mix with cacao powder and peanut butter until smooth.

3. Pour the mixture into a greased or lined 16x10cm baking form and bake for about 20-25 minutes.

4. Let it cool completely.

Shortbread Biscuits

1. In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and cacao powder. Add softened vegan butter and knead until a dough forms.

2. Roll out the dough between two pieces of baking paper to your desired thickness and cut out shapes of houses or other festive designs. You can try with pine trees or stars.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 8-10 minutes.

4. Let them cool completely.

Vegan Royal Icing

1. Whisk together powdered sugar, soy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.

2. Transfer to a piping bag for decorating.

   
   

✨ You can easily make a piping bag using baking paper, here's a tutorial: Parchment Paper Piping Bag

Assemble the Cake

1. Spread a thin layer of hazelnut spread (alternatively royal icing or similar) on the lower part of the brownie base—or where you intend to place the biscuits.

2. Attach the shortbread house decorations on top of the brownie.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Use royal icing to add fine details to the houses.

4. Allow the icing to set before serving and let the magic begin!

   
   

Let me know if you try this recipe!

Happy baking, and may your holiday season be as magical as the treats you create!

With love,

Indoora