Save A festive and charming gingerbread house, perfect for the holidays. This recipe yields sturdy, delicious gingerbread panels and includes ideas for creative decorating with royal icing and candies.
I remember assembling my first gingerbread house with my family; it brought so much joy watching the decorations come to life.
Ingredients
- Gingerbread Dough: 350 g all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 125 g unsalted butter, softened 100 g brown sugar 1 large egg 120 g molasses or dark treacle 2 tbsp honey
- Royal Icing: 2 large egg whites 400 g powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 tsp cream of tartar Food coloring (optional)
- Decorations: Assorted candies (gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate buttons, licorice, sprinkles) Shredded coconut or powdered sugar (for snow effect) Edible silver pearls (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Gingerbread Dough:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses, and honey. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Roll and Bake the Gingerbread Panels:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll dough on parchment to 5 mm thickness. Cut out house shapes using templates (walls, roof, door, chimney). Transfer to lined baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes until firm and golden. Cool completely.
- Prepare Royal Icing:
- Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cream of tartar beat until stiff peaks form. Divide and tint with food coloring if desired keep covered with a damp cloth.
- Assemble the House:
- Pipe thick lines of icing along the edges of the walls assemble on a sturdy base. Hold panels in place for a few minutes until set allow to dry 30 minutes before adding roof. Attach roof panels with icing and support until set.
- Decorate:
- Use royal icing to attach candies create icicles and add snowy effects. Sprinkle with coconut or powdered sugar for snow. Let dry completely before moving.
Save Our family loves gathering around to decorate the gingerbread house each holiday season, creating memories and sweet treats together.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls Electric mixer Rolling pin Baking sheets Parchment paper Sharp knife or templates Piping bags and small nozzles Sturdy baseboard or cake board
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter). Some candies may contain nuts or soy always check labels.
Nutritional Information
Calories 330 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 67 g Protein 3 g per serving house divided into 10.
Save This gingerbread house is not just a dessert it’s a festive activity that brings warmth and creativity to your holidays.
Recipe Guide
- → How do I ensure the gingerbread panels stay sturdy?
Chilling the dough for at least an hour before rolling and baking panels until golden and firm helps maintain sturdiness during assembly.
- → What makes royal icing suitable for assembling the house?
Whipped egg whites combined with powdered sugar and cream of tartar create a stiff, dryable icing that acts like glue for holding panels firmly.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients for dietary needs?
Honey can be swapped with golden syrup, but allergens like wheat, eggs, and butter are present, so check carefully for alternative flours or dairy substitutes.
- → What decorating tips can enhance the festive look?
Use assorted candies to create colorful details, powdered sugar or shredded coconut for a snow effect, and edible pearls for added charm.
- → How long does assembly and drying typically take?
Assembly requires about 30 minutes of drying between attaching panels and roof to ensure strong bonds before decorating.