Description
This homemade gingerbread house recipe provides sturdy, flavorful gingerbread walls, a strong royal icing ‘glue,’ and a crusting buttercream for festive decorating. Perfect for a creative holiday activity and edible centerpiece.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulphured or dark molasses
- 1 tablespoon water
- Royal icing, prepared (for assembly)
- Assorted candies (gumdrops, M&Ms, candy canes, sprinkles, marshmallows, etc.)
- 1/2 cup shortening, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Print and cut out gingerbread house template pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg, molasses, and water, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to form a thick dough.
- Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out dough between parchment paper to 1/4 inch thick. Use template to cut house pieces.
- Bake house pieces at 350°F (177°C) for 18–20 minutes; bake chimney pieces for 12–13 minutes. Cool on a flat surface.
- Assemble house using royal icing. Start with walls and let set for at least 1 hour before adding the roof.
- Attach roof and chimney with royal icing. Allow structure to dry for 4–6 hours or overnight.
- Prepare buttercream by beating shortening and butter, then gradually adding confectioners’ sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until thick.
- Decorate the house with buttercream, royal icing, and assorted candies.
Notes
- Template can be customized or scaled for different house sizes.
- Dough can be made ahead and frozen for 3 months.
- Molasses can be replaced with golden syrup or treacle for lighter flavor.
- Use melted chocolate instead of royal icing if preferred.
- Decorations can be personalized with various candies and sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 1 day
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of house
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
