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Holiday Baking Project

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Create a beautiful homemade gingerbread house from scratch with sturdy cookie walls, royal icing "glue", and crusting buttercream decorations. Takes time but results in a stunning holiday centerpiece.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:10:33 GMT
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A beautifully decorated gingerbread house with icing, colorful candies, and tiny gingerbread figures, set on a wooden platform. Pin it
A beautifully decorated gingerbread house with icing, colorful candies, and tiny gingerbread figures, set on a wooden platform. | recipesbyclare.com

Let me share my favorite holiday tradition - making a homemade Gingerbread House! I love how this recipe brings together everything you need to create magical memories. From the spicy gingerbread to the sweet icing and colorful candies there's no right or wrong way just pure holiday fun.

Built for Success

What makes this recipe so special is how accessible it is for everyone. The dough bakes up nice and sturdy that royal icing holds everything together perfectly and the buttercream lets you get creative with decorating. Whether you're crafting with kids or making a showpiece it's foolproof fun.

What You'll Need

  • For the House: - All-purpose flour - Warm spices: ginger cinnamon nutmeg - Butter molasses and sugar - Simple royal icing
  • For Decorating: - Crusting buttercream - All your favorite candies - Pretty sprinkles and beads - Coconut for snow

Let's Build Some Magic

Start with Dough:
Mix your spices and flour add warm butter mixture chill well.
Cut and Bake:
Roll between parchment cut your shapes bake until perfect.
Make Your Glue:
Whip up that royal icing nice and stiff.
Build with Love:
Assemble walls first then add roof let everything set well.
Time to Play:
Decorate with all your favorite candies make it sparkle!

My Best Tips

Keep that dough cold for easy handling. Roll between parchment to prevent sticking. Let each piece set before adding more and use small piping tips for pretty details.

Make It Magical

Try candy canes for fence posts gumdrop trees and crushed candy windows. Add sparkly beads coconut snow or even tiny sugar cookie decorations in the yard.

Quick Answers

  • Make ahead? Dough keeps 2 days chilled
  • House collapse? More icing longer setting time
  • Can you eat it? Absolutely it's all edible
  • Keep it fresh? Cool dry place up to 2 weeks
A beautifully decorated gingerbread house with white icing, candy accents, and a festive landscape of various sweets. Pin it
A beautifully decorated gingerbread house with white icing, candy accents, and a festive landscape of various sweets. | recipesbyclare.com

Pure Holiday Joy

Creating a gingerbread house is about so much more than perfect walls or straight lines. It's about making memories getting creative and enjoying the process. So gather your loved ones dive in and have fun with your edible masterpiece!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How far ahead can I make pieces?

Baked pieces keep 1 week at room temp, 3 months frozen. Construct up to 1 day ahead.

→ Why use parchment for rolling?

Dough is sticky and will stick to counter no matter how much flour used.

→ How long must house set before decorating?

Let set 4-6 hours minimum, preferably overnight for stability.

→ What's the purpose of shortening in frosting?

Makes buttercream "crust" or set. Can use all butter for softer result.

→ How thick should dough be rolled?

Roll 1/4 inch thick for sturdy house pieces that won't break.

Gingerbread House

A complete guide to making homemade gingerbread houses, including dough, royal icing, crusting buttercream and assembly instructions.

Prep Time
1440 Minutes
Cook Time
18 Minutes
Total Time
1458 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: European

Yield: 1 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour.
02 1/4 tsp baking soda.
03 2 tsp ground ginger.
04 2 tsp ground cinnamon.
05 1/2 tsp ground allspice.
06 1/4 tsp salt.
07 6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, softened.
08 3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar.
09 1 large egg, room temp.
10 1/2 cup (120ml) molasses.
11 1 tbsp water.
12 1/2 cup (95g) shortening.
13 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter.
14 4 cups (480g) confectioners' sugar.
15 2 tbsp milk.
16 1/4 tsp vanilla extract.
17 1/8 tsp salt.
18 Royal icing.
19 Assorted candies.

Instructions

Step 01

Prepare templates for the gingerbread house shapes.

Step 02

Combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.

Step 03

Beat unsalted butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes until creamy.

Step 04

Add egg, molasses, and water to the butter mixture. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.

Step 05

Divide the dough into portions and chill for at least 2 hours.

Step 06

Roll out dough between parchment to 1/4 inch thick. Cut house pieces (2 of each).

Step 07

Bake at 350°F. House pieces for 18-20 minutes and chimney for 12-13 minutes.

Step 08

Let all pieces cool completely and ensure they are flat.

Step 09

Assemble pieces with royal icing. Prop pieces and let base set for 1 hour.

Step 10

Add roof and chimney to the base. Let house set for 4-6 hours.

Step 11

Beat shortening and butter. Add sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Step 12

Use buttercream, royal icing, and candies to decorate the gingerbread house.

Notes

  1. Must use parchment for rolling.
  2. Can make pieces 1 week ahead.
  3. House needs full 4-6 hours to set.
  4. Shortening makes frosting crust.
  5. Store assembled house 1-2 days.

Tools You'll Need

  • Template.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Baking sheets.
  • Stand or hand mixer.
  • Pizza cutter/knife.
  • Piping bags/tips.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat/Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 350
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 55 g
  • Protein: 4 g