Gingerbread House Day is one of the coziest, most delightfully whimsical “holidays” of the year. Gingerbread House Day practically smells like cinnamon and molasses is what a lot of people like to say.
Here is a few ways to celebrate #GingerbreadHouseDay:
- Build the most over‑the‑top gingerbread mansion you can dream up sand asking for help is okay when making your masterpiece
- Host a friendly decorating showdown with friends or family or your co-workers.
- Share a photo of your creation (or your spectacular gingerbread disaster — those are often better) on social media and ask everyone to share their creations as well.
- Instead of making a traditional Gingerbread House you could surprise your friends and family with a twist: gingerbread skyscraper, castle, or tiny village
If you want, I can help you craft a caption, brainstorm a theme, or come up with a fun challenge for the day. Just leave me a comment with what you need, and I will get to work on it.
Here’s a warm, festive, made‑from‑scratch recipe and step‑by‑step directions for a Homemade Gingerbread House. The recipe is written like a friendly recipe card you’d find in a holiday magazine. Once you’ve finished your masterpiece come share a photo with us on my Facebook page. If David gets better, we may make a Gingerbread House this week.
Homemade Gingerbread House
Now let’s get busy and create a, spiced gingerbread dough sturdy enough for building, delicious enough for snacking, and no, you cannot eat all the dough which is perfect for decorating with family.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Dough
- 3 cups all‑purpose flour
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Royal Icing (the “glue”)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 large egg whites or 4 teaspoons meringue powder + 6 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar (optional, helps stiffen)
Decorations
- Gumdrops
- Peppermints
- Candy canes
- Sprinkles
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate pieces
- Anything festive and edible
Step‑by‑Step Directions
1. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add molasses and egg; mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until a firm dough forms.
- Divide into two discs, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
2. Roll & Cut the House Pieces
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll dough to about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface.
- Use templates (you can draw them on cardstock) to cut:
- 2 side walls
- 2 roof panels
- 1 front + 1 back panel
- Transfer pieces to a parchment‑lined baking sheet.
- Bake 12–15 minutes, until firm and slightly darkened at edges.
- Cool completely—this is crucial for stability.
3. Make the Royal Icing
- Beat egg whites (or meringue mixture) until frothy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until thick, glossy, and pipeable.
- Transfer to a piping bag with a small round tip.
4. Assemble the House
- Pipe a thick line of icing along the edges of the front and side walls.
- Hold pieces together for a minute until they stick.
- Add the back wall the same way.
- Let the structure dry 15–20 minutes before adding the roof.
- Pipe icing along the top edges and gently place roof panels.
- Support with cans or cups if needed while drying.
5. Decorate!
- Use royal icing as glue to attach candies.
- Add snowy drips along the roof edges.
- Create a walkway with peppermints or chocolate squares.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
