Holiday Talk
This gingerbread house recipe has been perfected over many Christmases spent with my children and their cousins. It's become a tradition in our family for the kids to make the gingerbread house recipe and assemble it on December 23rd, decorate it on Christmas Eve, then wait an agonizing 24 hours until they're finally allowed to demolish it for dessert Christmas night. On the occasions when we aren’t able to spend Christmas together, my sister and I always send each other gingerbread house kits, or pre-made gingerbread houses for our kids to decorate. It’s been an enduring tradition that's linked our family through many years and thousands of miles. On this page, you'll find our Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe, instructions on making your own gingerbread house pattern, and a fool-proof royal icing recipe. Enjoy!
Gingerbread House Pattern
Gingerbread House Pattern
A gingerbread house pattern can be the classic, Hansel & Gretel-style house or you can create your own unique design. For a classic gingerbread house, follow these simple steps: You will need 3 (8" X 11") pieces of cardboard or sturdy card stock and scissors. On the bottom of the first piece of cardboard, draw a square with 5" sides and top it with a 3" tall triangle (for the front and back walls). Next, on another piece of cardboard, draw a rectangle that is 5" tall by 6" long (for the side walls). Finally, on a third sheet of cardboard, draw a rectangle 5" tall by 7" long (for the roof). Cut out the shapes and use them as templates for your house. This process for making a gingerbread house pattern will work no matter how fanciful your design. Get creative! Make a replica of your own house, a miniature of your child’s school (a great teacher’s gift), or the house of your dreams. Find a detailed description of how to put your house together in our Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe and Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Instructions, found below:
Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Ingredients
½ cup shortening
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup dark molasses
¼ cup water
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon salt
Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Instructions
Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Ingredients
½ cup shortening
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup dark molasses
¼ cup water
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon salt
Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe Instructions
-Cream together shortening and sugar in a large bowl, then add molasses and water
-Sift in the dry ingredients, mix well and divide dough into 3 equal balls
-On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8" thickness. Use each of you templates twice to cut out a front and
-Sift in the dry ingredients, mix well and divide dough into 3 equal balls
-On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8" thickness. Use each of you templates twice to cut out a front and
back wall, 2 side walls, and 2 roof pieces. Have fun personalizing your house by designing and cutting out your own
windows and doors (don’t get too carried away, for stability there should be more wall than windows).
-Transfer your shapes to a greased baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
-Transfer your shapes to a greased baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
-Bake 8-10 minutes
-Cool completely on the baking sheet
Royal Icing Recipe
Royal Icing is the “glue” that holds the house together. Once you've completed the steps in the Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe, making sure that the gingerbread has cooled completely, make a fresh batch of this royal icing recipe. For best success, this should be the consistency of toothpaste.
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
4 egg whites (pasteurized or powdered egg white equivalent for safety)
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
-Simply mix all ingredients together and use this royal icing recipe as the glue for your gingerbread walls and roof
-Cool completely on the baking sheet
Royal Icing Recipe
Royal Icing is the “glue” that holds the house together. Once you've completed the steps in the Ultimate Gingerbread House Recipe, making sure that the gingerbread has cooled completely, make a fresh batch of this royal icing recipe. For best success, this should be the consistency of toothpaste.
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
4 egg whites (pasteurized or powdered egg white equivalent for safety)
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
-Simply mix all ingredients together and use this royal icing recipe as the glue for your gingerbread walls and roof
-Use whatever you can find to hold the walls in place overnight, or until the icing dries (soup cans work great for this)
-Once the icing is completely dry it’s time to put the finishing touches on you house with gumdrops, peppermints, or whatever Christmas candy tickles your fancy.
