Ready for the most delicious holiday project of the year? This gingerbread house recipe is sturdy enough for building, smells like pure Christmas magic, and makes two 6-inch houses—perfect for family fun, gifting, or a cozy weekend bake-a-thon.
Jump to:
Tool You’ll Love
A good set of gingerbread cookie cutters makes shaping house pieces faster, cleaner, and way less stressful.
Shop Holiday Cookie CuttersPro move: Roll dough evenly so pieces bake flat and fit together like a dream.
Bonus: Use parchment/Silpat for easy release and minimal spreading.
Ingredients 🧈🍯
Here’s everything you’ll need to make sturdy, buildable gingerbread house panels.
- 1 cup unsalted, softened butter (sub: 1 cup vegetable shortening)
- 4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp ginger
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 3/4 tsp salt
Step-by-Step Directions 👩🍳
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or Silpat mats).
- In a stand mixer (paddle attachment if you have it), cream butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the molasses and mix until combined.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition.
- Add cornstarch, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix on medium-low until combined.
- With mixer on low, add the flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball.
- Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Place between two sheets of parchment.
- Chill dough in the fridge for 3 hours or overnight.
- Remove dough from fridge and cut your house shapes using your preferred gingerbread cutters/templates.
- Transfer shapes to prepared baking sheets and bake for 10–15 minutes. Cookies should be set around the edges but slightly softer toward the middle.
How to Build a Sturdy Gingerbread House 🏠
The secret to a house that stays standing? Flat panels + strong “glue” + patience.
- Cool completely before building (warm pieces can warp).
- Level your edges if needed: a microplane/grater or serrated knife works great.
- Use thick royal icing as your “cement” and let it set between steps.
- Support walls with cans or glasses while the icing sets (10–15 minutes can save a collapse).
- Build in stages: walls → set → roof → set → decorate.
Decorating Ideas (Choose Your Vibe!) 🍬❄️
Classic Candy Cottage
- Peppermints for roof shingles
- Candy canes for pillars + pathways
- Gumdrops for lights along the roofline
- Powdered sugar “snow” dusted at the end
Snowy Scandinavian Minimalist
- All-white royal icing + simple texture
- Shredded coconut snowdrifts
- One accent color (gold/silver pearls, or red berries)
Kid-Approved Candy Explosion
- Mini candies everywhere (bonus points for symmetry… or not 😄)
- Cereal “roof tiles”
- Sprinkle windows + a sprinkle path
Troubleshooting (Quick Fixes) ✅
- Panels warped: dough was uneven or pieces cooled on a hot pan—roll evenly and cool on a rack.
- House won’t stay together: icing is too thin—use thicker royal icing and support walls while setting.
- Cracking: pieces baked too long—next time pull at set edges with slightly softer centers.
- Sticky/soft house: humidity—store in a cool, dry spot (not airtight if it traps moisture).
Ready to Build Your Gingerbread Masterpiece?
Bake your panels, grab your candy, and don’t forget: the “messy” houses are usually the most memorable ones. ❤️
Explore More TutorialsNote: Baking times can vary by oven and thickness. For best results, keep pieces an even 1/4" thick and chill dough thoroughly before cutting.