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gingerbread house recipe
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Gingerbread House Recipe

A festive homemade gingerbread house with spiced cookie panels, sturdy royal icing, and colorful Christmas candy decorations.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Chill Time+ Assembly Time +Setting Time5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time6 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

For the gingerbread dough

  • 3 cups 375 g all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons 85 g unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup 150 g packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup 170 g molasses
  • 1 tablespoon water only if needed

For the royal icing

  • 4 cups 480 g powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5 –6 tablespoons water added gradually

For decorating

  • Gumdrops
  • Candy canes
  • Chocolate candies
  • Pretzel sticks
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Colorful sprinkles

Instructions

  • Mix the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a bowl.
  • Cream the butter and sugar. Beat the butter and brown sugar until combined. Add the egg and molasses and mix well.
  • Make the dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix until a firm dough forms. Add a little water only if necessary.
  • Chill the dough. Divide into discs, wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Cut the house pieces. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick. Cut out the walls and roof using paper templates.
  • Bake. Bake for 12–20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness, until the pieces are firm. Trim the edges while warm if needed.
  • Cool completely. Transfer the panels to a flat surface and let them cool before assembling.
  • Prepare the icing. Beat the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until thick and stiff peaks form.
  • Assemble the house. Pipe icing along the edges and join the walls on a sturdy cake board. Support them until stable.
  • Attach the roof. Secure the roof panels with more icing. Let the house set for several hours or overnight.
  • Decorate. Add gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate candies, pretzels, and sprinkles using royal icing

Notes

  • Keep the dough evenly rolled so the panels fit together.
  • Use thick royal icing as edible glue.
  • Allow the walls to set before attaching the roof.
  • Use pasteurized meringue powder for the uncooked icing.
  • Nutrition depends on the amount of icing and candy used.

    Nutrition 

    • Calories: 300 kcal
    • Carbohydrates: 55 g
    • Protein: 4 g
    • Fat: 7 g
    • Saturated Fat: 4 g
    • Sugar: 35 g
    • Sodium: 120 mg
    • Fiber: 1 g