Gingerbread House Recipe (Easy Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Building a gingerbread house is one of those holiday traditions that looks magical—but can feel intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Maybe your walls collapsed, the icing wouldn’t hold, or the dough spread too much in the oven. If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

This easy gingerbread house recipe is designed especially for beginners and families who want a sturdy, beautiful house that actually stays standing. The dough bakes firm without being rock-hard, and the strong royal icing works like edible glue, making assembly simple and stress-free. No fancy tools, no complicated steps—just clear instructions that guide you from mixing the dough to decorating the final house.

Whether you’re baking with kids, planning a cozy Christmas activity, or creating a festive centerpiece, this homemade gingerbread house is fun to make and even more fun to decorate. Save this recipe, grab your favorite candies, and let’s build a gingerbread house that looks just as good as it tastes.

Gingerbread House Ingredients

This gingerbread house recipe uses simple pantry staples, but the exact balance is what makes the pieces sturdy enough for building while still easy to work with. Measure carefully for best results.

Dough Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ⅔ cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• ¾ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt

💡 This dough is meant for structure, not spreading. Don’t substitute ingredients for softer cookie dough.

Royal Icing (Strong Construction Icing)

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 large egg whites or 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1–2 tablespoons water or lemon juice

💡 The icing should be very thick—think toothpaste consistency—so it acts like edible glue.

Optional Decorations

• Candy canes
• Gumdrops
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate buttons
• Sprinkles or edible glitter

How to Make (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps in order for a sturdy gingerbread house that’s easy to assemble and decorate.

Step 1: Make the Gingerbread Dough

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the cold butter and brown sugar until the mixture looks sandy. Add the molasses and egg, then mix until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until a firm dough forms.

The dough should feel thick and slightly sticky but easy to handle. If it feels too soft, add 1–2 tablespoons of flour.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Divide the dough into two flat discs, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Chilling is essential—it prevents spreading and keeps the gingerbread house pieces straight and even.

Step 3: Roll & Cut the Gingerbread Pieces

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness on parchment paper. Use a gingerbread house template to cut out walls and roof pieces. Cut clean, straight edges for best assembly.

Step 4: Bake & Cool Completely

Bake the pieces for 12–15 minutes, until firm and lightly darkened around the edges.
Let the gingerbread pieces cool completely on a flat surface. Warm pieces can warp and cause the house to collapse later.

Step 5: Make Strong Royal Icing

Beat the powdered sugar with egg whites (or meringue powder and water) until very thick.
The icing should hold stiff peaks and not drip. This thick consistency is what keeps the gingerbread house standing.

Step 6: Assemble the Gingerbread House

Pipe icing along the edges of the walls and press them together. Let the walls dry for 10–15 minutes before adding the roof. Use cups or cans to support the walls if needed.

Step 7: Decorate

Once the structure is firm, decorate with candies, icing details, and festive touches. You can also top it and cover it with buttercream if you like. This is the fun part—perfect for kids and family time, so feel free to decorate it however you want.

Tips for Success (No Collapse!)

These simple tips make a huge difference and help you build a gingerbread house that stays standing from start to finish.

Use Very Thick Icing for Assembly

Royal icing should be thicker than regular frosting. If it’s too runny, the walls will slide and collapse. When in doubt, add more powdered sugar until the icing holds stiff peaks.

Bake the Pieces a Day Ahead

Baking your gingerbread house pieces in advance allows them to dry out and harden slightly, making assembly much easier and more stable.

Keep Edges Straight

If any pieces warp during baking, gently trim the edges with a serrated knife while they’re still warm. Straight edges help the house fit together tightly.

Let Each Step Set Before Moving On

Patience matters. Allow walls to set before adding the roof, and let the roof dry before decorating heavily.

Work on a Flat, Non-Slip Surface

Assemble your gingerbread house on parchment paper or a cutting board so it’s easy to move once finished.

Decorating Your Gingerbread House

Decorating is where your gingerbread house really comes to life. Whether you’re baking with kids or creating a festive holiday centerpiece, keep things simple and have fun with it.

Classic Gingerbread House Decorations

• Candy canes for pillars and fences
• Gumdrops for windows and doors
• Mini marshmallows for snow
• Chocolate buttons for roof tiles

Kid-Friendly Decorating Ideas

• Pre-sort candies into small bowls
• Let kids decorate one wall each
• Use icing dots instead of lines for easy placement
• Focus on fun, not perfection

Simple & Elegant Designs

• White icing details only
• Powdered sugar “snow”
• Minimal candy accents
• Neutral color palette

Finishing Touches

• Edible glitter or pearl sprinkles
• Coconut flakes for snowy texture
• Icing icicles along the roof edges

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes To Try

• Cinnamon Rolls
• Banana Bread Recipe
• Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake

Recipe

Gingerbread House Recipe

Print

This gingerbread house recipe is easy, sturdy, and perfect for decorating. The dough holds its shape without spreading, and the strong royal icing keeps everything standing. Ideal for beginners, families, and holiday baking, this recipe makes building a gingerbread house fun, stress-free, and festive.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Bake Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Ingredients

Gingerbread Dough

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
• ⅔ cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
• ¾ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt

Royal Icing (Construction Icing)

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 large egg whites or 2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1–2 tablespoons water or lemon juice

Optional Decorations

• Candy canes
• Gumdrops
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate buttons
• Sprinkles or edible glitter

Instructions

1. Make the Dough: Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and spices; mix butter and brown sugar until sandy, add molasses and egg, then combine with dry ingredients until a firm dough forms.

2. Chill: Divide dough into two discs, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

3. Roll & Cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), roll dough to ¼-inch (6 mm) thickness, and cut gingerbread house pieces using a template.

4. Bake: Bake pieces for 12–15 minutes until firm, then cool completely on a flat surface.

5. Make Royal Icing: Beat powdered sugar with egg whites (or meringue powder and water) until very thick and stiff.

6. Assemble: Pipe icing along edges, assemble walls first, let set 10–15 minutes, then add the roof.

7. Decorate: Once the structure is stable, decorate with candies and icing as desired.

Notes

This dough is designed for structure, not softness

Bake pieces a day ahead for best results

Use very thick icing to prevent collapse

Making a gingerbread house doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With the right dough, strong royal icing, and a little patience, you can build a festive house that stays standing and looks beautiful on any holiday table. This easy gingerbread house recipe is perfect for beginners, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy a cozy Christmas tradition at home.

Save this recipe for later, gather your favorite candies, and turn gingerbread house building into a fun holiday memory. Whether you keep it simple or decorate every detail, the best gingerbread house is the one made with joy.