Name: How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 3/4 cups dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon molasses; 2 tablespoons water; 7 3/4 cups all purpose flour; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 teaspoon fine salt; 3 cups powdered sugar; 2 large egg whites; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar; Assorted candies, cereals, pretzels, sprinkles, etc.

Print Recipe· 3.8 from 3 reviews

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a magical winter centerpiece that’s both a feast for the eyes and a delightful treat, then you’re in for a real holiday treat with this guide on How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe. It combines the rich, warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with the fun of decorating to build a charming, edible masterpiece. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a festive newbie, this recipe brings all the joy of the season right into your kitchen, complete with tips to help every step go smoothly and deliciously.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows nine bowls with different baking ingredients on a white marbled surface. The largest bowl on the left contains white flour with a swirl pattern on top, followed by a bowl with brown sugar below it. To the right of the flour is a dark bowl holding two brown eggs, and next to it is a small white bowl with a dark liquid inside. Below that are a small beige bowl with yellow turmeric spice and a small handmade green bowl, both above a small white bowl filled with white powder. The center has a white bowl with two thick, yellow butter squares. The smallest green bowl at the bottom holds a small amount of dark cinnamon powder. The bowls are arranged neatly with different shapes and textures, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The beauty of How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe is in its straightforward ingredients that work harmoniously to deliver that authentic gingerbread flavor and sturdy texture perfect for building. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the soft butter lending tenderness, to the molasses adding deep, caramelized sweetness and that classic gingerbread color.

Unsalted butter (12 ounces / 1 1/2 cups, at room temperature): Provides richness and helps achieve the tender, pliable dough essential for shaping the house.
Dark brown sugar (1 3/4 cups): Adds moisture with a hint of molasses flavor, balancing spice with sweetness.
Eggs (2 large): Bind the dough and give structure without making it tough.
Molasses (1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon): The key to that wonderful gingerbread taste and beautiful deep brown hue.
Water (2 tablespoons): A little moisture to help combine flavors and create a workable dough.
All-purpose flour (7 3/4 cups): The sturdy base forming the structure of your gingerbread pieces.
Ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon): Brings warmth and subtle sweetness to the spice mix.
Ground ginger (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon): Delivers that signature ginger punch essential for gingerbread.
Baking soda (2 teaspoons): Helps the dough rise slightly for a perfect balance of firmness and tenderness.
Ground cloves (1 teaspoon): Adds complexity with its aromatic, slightly peppery taste.
Fine salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances and balances the sweetness and spices.
Powdered sugar (3 cups): For making the royal icing that acts as the glue for your house and its decorations.
Egg whites (2 large): Whisked into the icing to provide stability and a glossy finish.
Lemon juice (1 teaspoon): Affects the icing’s consistency subtly and adds brightness to the flavor.
Cream of tartar (1/8 teaspoon): Stabilizes the egg whites to keep your royal icing stiff and pipeable.
Assorted candies, cereals, pretzels, sprinkles, etc.: The fun part to personalize your gingerbread house with edible decorations.

How to Make How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe

Step 1: Make the Gingerbread Dough

Begin by gathering all your ingredients and prepping your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy; this step is crucial for that tender, rich texture. Slowly incorporate the eggs, molasses, and water mixture to combine everything evenly. Once the wet ingredients are fully integrated, gradually add the dry ingredients — the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt — and mix just until it forms a smooth ball of dough. Dividing and chilling the dough wrapped in plastic for at least 30 minutes makes it easier to roll out without stickiness, laying the foundation for clean, crisp gingerbread pieces.

Step 2: Roll, Freeze, and Cut the Dough

Rolling the chilled dough between parchment sheets to a quarter-inch thickness lets you get a uniform thickness for all your gingerbread house pieces. Freezing these rolled sheets for several hours leads to incredibly precise cuts—frozen dough is so much easier to handle without losing shape in the oven. Using a sturdy chef’s knife and your cardboard templates, cut out the walls, roof panels, and any optional windows or doors from the dough. This meticulous preparation ensures your house will assemble perfectly and look professionally made.

Step 3: Bake and Cool the Gingerbread Pieces

Bake your gingerbread panels on parchment-lined sheets at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the dough is set and firm to the touch. After baking, cooling the pieces fully is essential — warm pieces are delicate and prone to breaking. Once cooled, keep your pieces flat and wrapped to maintain freshness until ready for assembly. This patience pays off with structurally sound components for your gingerbread house.

Step 4: Prepare the Royal Icing

The royal icing is your gingerbread house’s trusty glue. Whip together powdered sugar, fresh egg whites, lemon juice, and cream of tartar using a whisk attachment until the mixture is stiff but still easy to pipe. This icing will dry hard to hold your house stable and decorate it with intricate designs. Keep some icing covered to maintain moisture and transfer some to a piping bag with a quarter-inch opening — your primary tool for construction and decoration.

Step 5: Assemble and Decorate the Gingerbread House

Layout the wall pieces on your board to outline the footprint and use thick lines of royal icing along the base to secure them standing upright. Pipe generous seams where walls meet for extra reinforcement and give the structure about an hour to dry. Next, attach roof panels with piping and let dry for a full hour, or longer if your roof decorations are heavy. Then comes the fun part — get creative with piping, candies, pretzels, sprinkles, and other treats to bring your gingerbread dream to life. Allow the house to dry thoroughly for 24 hours before moving it to ensure your masterpiece stays intact.

How to Serve How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe

A small gingerbread house is placed on a white marble board with a pale pink background. The house has four visible flat brown gingerbread walls and two slanted brown gingerbread roof panels attached with thick white icing at the edges and corners. The icing is also piped along the base where the walls meet the board. To the left of the house, there is a filled white pastry bag lying on the board, ready for more icing work. The overall image shows the simple structure and raw look of the gingerbread house before decoration photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Since this gingerbread house is as much about eye-catching presentation as taste, consider adding a dusting of powdered sugar to mimic fresh snow, or pipe delicate royal icing scallops along roof edges for a frosted effect. Brightly colored candies can become whimsical wreaths, bows, or shutters, and edible glitter adds a magical winter sparkle. These garnishes transform your house into an inviting festive centerpiece.

Side Dishes

If you plan to share parts of your gingerbread house as treats, serve them alongside warm mulled cider or hot chocolate. The cozy spices in your drink echo the flavors of the gingerbread, creating a harmonious seasonal flavor pairing. Small plates of holiday cookies and fruitcake complement the scene nicely for a complete holiday dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Place your fully decorated gingerbread house on a sturdy cake board dusted with powdered sugar “snow” and scatter some mini marshmallows or crushed candy canes for extra flair. Surround it with miniature Christmas trees or twinkling fairy lights to elevate its charm. For parties, you can even set up a decorating station with extra candies and icing for everyone to add their personal touch, turning the gingerbread house into a delightful group activity.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because gingerbread houses are both decorative and edible, storing them properly extends their enjoyment. Keep your assembled house in a cool, dry place away from humidity to prevent the gingerbread from softening. Eating the gingerbread within three days of assembly is best for freshness, though the house can decorate for about a month before it begins to degrade.

Freezing

If you want to get a head start, the dough can be rolled out, stacked carefully between parchment sheets, tightly wrapped, and frozen for up to three months. This step is invaluable for spreading out your work over time and helps maintain perfect shape and flavor when you’re ready to bake and assemble.

Reheating

Since the finished gingerbread house is a dry, baked item, reheating is generally unnecessary and could soften or damage the structure. However, if you want to warm a piece of gingerbread cookie for snacking, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave softens it slightly without drying out. Just handle the assembled house gently to preserve its beauty.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought gingerbread dough for this recipe?

While store-bought dough might save time, making your own gingerbread dough as described ensures stronger, sturdier pieces that hold their shape better during baking, which is essential for building a stable house.

How long does it take for the royal icing to dry completely?

Royal icing sets relatively quickly on the surface within about an hour, but for the strongest bonds and best decorating results, allowing the assembled house and icing decorations to dry for 24 hours is ideal.

What should I do if a gingerbread piece breaks?

Don’t fret! Use some of your royal icing to “glue” broken parts back together and hold them firmly until they dry. This icing acts as a great repair tool and is surprisingly strong once dried.

Can I add food coloring to the royal icing?

Absolutely! Adding gel food coloring to your royal icing allows you to create colorful decorations like shutters and wreaths, making your gingerbread house extra festive and personalized.

How do I keep the gingerbread house from getting soft or soggy?

Keep the finished house in a cool, dry area away from humidity or direct moisture. Moisture causes the gingerbread to soften or slick the icing. Avoid storing it in a sealed plastic container which can trap humidity.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about building and decorating a gingerbread house from scratch, and learning How to Make a Gingerbread House Recipe brings that joy right into your own kitchen. It’s a wonderful way to bond with family and friends over a shared project that’s as fun to assemble as it is to admire. So grab your rolling pin, preheat your oven, and dive into a hands-on holiday tradition that will fill your home with wonderful smells and warm memories for years to come!