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Festive Gingerbread House

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By Yvette Morales • December 10th, 2025
A brightly decorated gingerbread house with colorful candies, perfect for holiday baking fun. Save to Pinterest
A brightly decorated gingerbread house with colorful candies, perfect for holiday baking fun. | cookingwithyvette.com

This festive gingerbread house combines aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves baked into sturdy cookie panels. The pieces are carefully assembled with smooth royal icing that hardens to hold the structure securely. Decorative candies and optional coconut snow bring a colorful, wintery charm perfect for holiday celebrations. The process involves baking, assembling, and decorating over a few hours, making it a delightful family activity filled with creativity and seasonal flavors. Suitable for vegetarians, it pairs well with warm drinks such as spiced hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Discovering how to make a gingerbread house was like unlocking a festive secret that instantly filled our home with warmth and holiday cheer every year.

I remember the first time unexpected guests arrived just as I finished assembling the house; their eyes lit up at the sight of the carefully piped icing and candy details, making all the effort feel so worth it.

Ingredients

  • Gingerbread Dough: Reach for all-purpose flour for the right texture, and soften your butter well to get that perfect dough consistency that’s easy to work with.
  • Royal Icing: Using fresh egg whites and sifting powdered sugar keeps the icing glossy and sturdy enough to hold your house together.
  • Decorations: Assorted candies add personality and fun; choose your favorites to make the house uniquely yours.

Instructions

Get Everything Ready:
Preheat your oven to 180°C and line your trays so your gingerbread pieces bake evenly and release easily. Imagine the sweet scent starting to fill your kitchen, promising festive treats ahead.
Mix and Knead:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then blend in syrup and eggs until smooth. Slowly add your spices and flour, feeling the dough come together, thick and fragrant with ginger and cinnamon.
Roll and Cut:
On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a precise thickness, then use your templates to cut your house pieces. It’s satisfying to see the familiar shapes come to life before baking.
Bake to Perfection:
Place pieces on trays with space to spare, then bake until edges are golden and firm. The smell will make you even more eager to build.
Prepare Royal Icing:
Beat egg whites until frothy, then add sifted sugar and lemon juice for a thick, glossy finish that’s just right for gluing your house parts together.
Assemble the House:
Pipe icing along edges and carefully join walls and roof panels, supporting as needed. The anticipation grows as your house takes shape.
Decorate with Joy:
Use remaining icing to attach candies and sprinkle coconut like snow, turning your creation into a magical winter scene.
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| cookingwithyvette.com

This gingerbread house became more than a dessert when it turned into a centerpiece for celebrations, inviting laughter and shared stories as everyone admired and nibbled on it throughout the holiday season.

Making It Ahead for the Freezer

You can prepare the gingerbread pieces well in advance and freeze them before assembly. Just wrap tightly to protect from moisture and thaw completely before decorating to keep the structure solid.

Serving Ideas That Clicked

Serve slices of gingerbread alongside spiced hot chocolate or mulled wine to extend the cozy flavor experience into a full festive treat that feels just right for winter evenings.

A Time This Recipe Saved the Day

Once, when holiday plans went awry, this gingerbread house became the unexpected star that turned a quiet night into an impromptu celebration filled with warmth and smiles.

  • Don't rush the assembly; patience means a house that stays intact.
  • Keep extra icing ready for quick fixes during decorating.
  • Choose your decorations based on who you're sharing the house with; it makes it extra special.
This gingerbread house showcases intricate iced details, a festive dessert for Christmas celebrations. Save to Pinterest
This gingerbread house showcases intricate iced details, a festive dessert for Christmas celebrations. | cookingwithyvette.com

Thanks for spending time in the kitchen; may your gingerbread house bring joy and sweet memories all season long.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves provide warm, aromatic flavor to the dough.

Use royal icing as edible glue and allow sufficient drying time between assembling sections for stability.

Yes, chilling the dough overnight improves rolling and cutting precision, while pre-baking pieces a day before helps them harden.

Assorted candies, sprinkles, edible glitter, and desiccated coconut for a snowy effect work beautifully.

The dough contains gluten, eggs, and butter; some candies may have nuts or traces, so check all labels carefully.

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A brightly decorated gingerbread house with colorful candies, perfect for holiday baking fun.
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Festive Gingerbread House

Build a charming gingerbread house using spiced dough and sweet royal icing for festive holiday decor.

Prep 60m
Cook 15m
Total 75m
Servings 10
Difficulty Medium

Ingredients

Gingerbread Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 10.5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup golden syrup or molasses
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Royal Icing

  • 3 large egg whites
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Decorations

  • Assorted candies (gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate buttons, licorice, etc.)
  • 1/3 cup desiccated coconut (optional)
  • Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

Instructions

1
Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
3
Incorporate Syrup and Eggs: Beat in golden syrup or molasses and eggs until the mixture is well combined.
4
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
5
Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a firm dough forms.
6
Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
7
Shape Dough Pieces: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately 1/5 inch thickness. Use paper templates to cut out house pieces (two walls, two roof panels, and two gables).
8
Bake Dough: Transfer pieces to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are firm and lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before assembly.
9
Prepare Royal Icing: Beat egg whites until frothy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and lemon juice, beating until the icing is thick and glossy.
10
Assemble Structure: Fill a piping bag with royal icing and pipe along the edges of each piece. Attach the walls first, then secure the roof panels. Support with cans or jars while the icing sets, approximately 30 minutes.
11
Decorate the House: Use remaining royal icing to affix candies and decorations as desired. Optionally, sprinkle desiccated coconut for a snow effect.
Additional Information

Equipment Needed

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Baking sheets
  • Rolling pin
  • Parchment paper
  • Sharp knife or template cutters
  • Piping bag and tips
  • Spatula

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories 410
Protein 5g
Carbs 77g
Fat 10g

Allergy Information

  • Contains gluten, eggs, and dairy.
  • Some decorations may contain nuts or traces; verify packaging.
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Yvette Morales

Home cook sharing easy, wholesome recipes and kitchen tips for busy food lovers.