Hi there!
I am so happy to see how excited you are about the giveaway sponsored by KitchenAid and Sweetopia and going on right now, to win 2 (Yup, that’s two of them – yay!) beautiful, 7-quart KitchenAid mixers.
One or two of you – depending on which number gets picked – are going to win, and I can’t wait to play the Sweetopia Santa Claus in a few days. The last time I gave a few mixers away, one lovely winner cried when I chatted with her on the phone (we connected through email first), and it was such a lovely, lovely feeling to make someone so happy that they burst into joyful tears!
If you’d like to find out how to enter the giveaway, which is on until 12:01 am EST on Monday, December 19th, 2011, you can find it by clicking here.
I sincerely wish somehow everyone could have one, but as that’s just not possible, how about we console ourselves with a little bit of candy and Gingerbread Fun!
Here’s a little video on how I made the gingerbread house above, and below the video you’ll find all the information you’ll need to know to make a house of your own.
If you can’t see the video, click here.
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Gingerbread House Template {Free Printable}
I’ve got a list of everything you’ll need to make a gingerbread house and a free, printable gingerbread house template here for you – just click on the link here so you can print a full copy.
Making a Gingerbread House
If you’d like to make a gingerbread house here are the other things you’ll need:
- Gingerbread Recipe
- Royal Icing Recipe
- Piping Bag
- Coupler
- #10, #16, #2 Piping Tips
- Tweezers, toothpicks, scissors, paring knife & a damp cloth
- Turntable (optional)
- Candy!
(optional)
Lots and lots of…
ahem, candy.
In case you missed it, you can watch the video above to see how to ‘glue’ the pieces of a house together and how to decorate a gingerbread house (like the pink one above).
There’s something so magical about making gingerbread houses, and although it takes a little bit of effort to make the pieces and the icing, with a few tips and tricks, the process is much easier, and the sweet, sweet result (pun intended), is so worth the effort. I delivered a few of the houses I made (pictured here) this week, and seeing people’s faces when you hand them their treat is such a wonderful feeling! Never mind how much fun it can be to make a gingerbread house with kids! Our H-banana and her cousin will be decorating their houses this weekend. I’ll share some pics on Instagram/Twitter if you’d like to see some candy fun. I’d also love to see what you’re up to for Christmas if you’d like to share on my Facebook page or on twitter.
Wishing you lots of love and gingerbreading fun this holiday season!
xo,
Marian
Just wanted to thank you for your video on how to put these things together. This year, I made my first ever successful gingerbread house with the help of this. Had oodles of fun, learned lots (need another baking pan, more tips and couplers since working with just the one..was a pain) and have lots of ideas for next year. Biggest issue for us this year…was the kids wanted to -eat it- as soon as they saw it…and I’ve insisted they wait until New Year’s Day because I want to enjoy looking at it. So, it’s disappearing a teeny bit at a time 😀
@ Sandra:Thanks!
@ Ruth Charlton: That’s so super – it makes me happy to hear it! I’d *love* to see a picture if you care to share it (the easiest way is probably on my Facebook page). Either way, have fun eating it and Happy New Year to you and the kids!
Hi Marian, Your gingerbread houses are beautiful. Thanks for the gingerbread house video and how to. I am going to try to make a few of these for valentine’s day. How far in advance can I make them if they are going to be eaten? I am going to use the gingerbread recipe you posted for the nutcracker. Thanks.
[email protected]
@ Kathy McGuirk: Thanks!
I’d say one month if it’s wrapped in cellophane well. Freshest is always best, but it’s hard to fit things in time-wise sometimes. Have tons of fun making your house! Would love to see what you make if you’d like to share on my facebook page when you’re done!
Hi Marian!!
During these days I have tried to make a gingerbread house! Thanks your helpful template and your video this is my result: http://www.latanadelconiglio.com/2012/01/gingerbread-house-o-casetta-di-pan-di.html
I’m proud of it and I want to say you thank you very much!!!
In my post I have explain to come here to know how to do the gingerbread house perfectly! I hope you don’t mind!
Well I have to say again thank you and I want to let you know that I love your blog!!
Have a nice day!
Erika (from Italy)
Oh, so adorable @ Erika!
I would love if you would share it on my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/sweetopia
How did you do the mushrooms btw?
What are the large pearlized gumballs and where did you get them? Love the color schemes!
@ Joy: I got them a candy store in my local mall, but they don’t ship. Buuut, guess where I saw them last week? Golda’s Kitchen.com
Awesome store, awesome shipping.
Dear Marian, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video and all of the other tools you so kindly share with the world on your site. I just found your website last night, and I am literarily like a kid in a candy shop, jumping from one extremely informative video to another! I would have to say your website and tutorials would have to be one of the best I have ever seen, and believe me, I’ve looked at a few over the years! Thank you for such a quality product and the kindness you show in sharing your techniques and obvious talent! I can see I will be busy, very busy!! Xx
Hi @ Leah: What a lovely comment to wake up to this morning! Thank you so much! xo
Where do you get your lollipops from, having trouble finding them in the uk! I want to make them for presents!
Hi @ Kim Derkatsch: Have you tried Candy.com?
Thanks for the advise, problem is you have to order in large quantities, I think I have found some in the uk now 🙂
That’s great, @ Kim! Would love to see pics of your houses if you’d like to share them on facebook when you’re done! xo
What size board did you use in the tutorial? Your tutorials are great, I love what you do, keep doing it!
Hi @ Kim: If you click on ‘print a full copy’ of the gingerbread house printable, you will see the dimensions of the base. xo
Hi,
I was wondering if it’s possible to make these with another type of biscuit as I’m not a big fan of gingerbread?
Thanks,
Talael
Absolutely, Talael. The shortbread cookie in my cookie recipe section would work.
Hi Marian, these are fantastic. I’m in love with them.
Just one question. On the pink house what do you use at the side of the door. The two pink sugar trees. Theyre so pretty!
Thanks so much.
Thanks, @ Sarah: It’s called rock candy (here), and comes just like you see it there. All I did was snip off the stick handle.
Thats great.
Are there any sweets (candy) that works best. My parents are in the USA
At the moment, so I can put some requests in. Also does it take about 1 gingerbread recipe to make one house, I’m making some to be sold for a charity over here and was wondering how much I would need ect. Thanks xx
These are gorgeous! I am having a gingerbread house party for my kids and i will be making a ton of these for all the kids to decorate. so my question is how well do they hold up? I’m not sure they will be eaten, so i was thinking of starting to make them, but the party isnt for another two months. Any thoughts?
Hi @ Sarah: Yes, about one recipe gingerbread for a house. You’ll most likely have some left over for cookies as well.
Hi @ Maggie: They do hold up well where I am, it’s fairly dry now and not too humid. If you live in a very humid climate they might not fare so well. If you make them 2 months ahead, they would hold up in a dry environment, but won’t be good to eat. They’ll be hard and dried out, pretty much. It’s your call on whether or not you’d like your guests to have the option of eating them.
Another idea would be to bake the pieces ahead and freeze them. You’d still have to de-thaw them (let them dry out at room temp. for minimum one day before you assemble), and put them together, but at least your pieces will be done.
One last tip; you could also make the dough ahead and freeze it, and then make the pieces and assemble closer to the date.
Hope that helps!
Hello! I love your site! What if you wanted to make individual gingerbread houses for preschool and kindergarten age kids? What would need to change to make that work? Also, any recommendations on dough thickness when doing smaller houses?
Thank you!
Hi @ Chris: For larger numbers of people, especially the age you mentioned, I would buy the ‘already done’ pieces at Bulk Barn (or a similar store in your area), *or* buy graham crackers and put those together as mini houses.
If you do make the pieces yourself for smaller houses, yes, I would make the dough a little less thick.
When I had a gingerbread house party for my step daughter, I already put the houses together and just had them decorate. More fun for a larger group of kids. https://sweetopia.net/2011/11/candy-christmas-party/
Hope that helps!
Hello again! I live in Kansas, we need Bulk Barns for sure! How neat that store is!
I went to a local printer yesterday and has her minimize your gingerbread house plan by 50% and that seemed too small so we compromised and did 75%. I thought the class could do it together with the original size of your plans otherwise. We are just doing it because we love gingerbread houses.
Thanks for such a great website and cool ideas and answering all of our questions!
I am desperately looking for a pattern for making a Dr. Seuss Whoville Gingerbread House/Village. Can ANYONE HELP?
Thanks
My pleasure, @ Chris! All the best!
I’m sorry, @ Betty Gallagher, I don’t have one, but will be on the lookout for you. xo
The holidays are getting close and I would like to make one of these adorable small gingerbread houses. I love the pink and am wondering where on earth did you locate that many pink necco wafers without buying hundreds of mixed packages?
Thanks.
Necco wafers for the shingles… duhhhh what a great idea!!
I can’t wait to do this!
Thanks Marian..This is the most precious gingerbread house I have seen in a long while..You make it look so easy..I am going to try and make it with the children in the family…I love that you take the time to doa tutorial..You need to enter the Grove Park Inn Gingerbread contest…
Thanks for the chance…
Sorry, @ Colleen Nelson: I bought a TON of Necco Wafer packages. 😉
Have fun @ Claire!
Sweet thanks for the kind words, @ Sandra Beck! It’s a dream of mine to *visit* Grove Park Inn to see all the houses. Bucket list item to do for sure!
Thank you so much for the insruction
I’m making three for my grandchildren
and I pray they look as good as yours
Happy Holidays
Sandy
Ya he publicado mi casita de jengibre, inspirada en vuestro maravilloso tutorial.
Hi Marian,
I was wondering if other cookies such as short bread cookies will work for this? Thanks!
Sharon
Hai,
How long can i keep a gingerbread house?
If i bake on 1st Dec..25th Dec can be eats
I am in LOVE with that pink one! We’re going to the beach this year for Christmas (my husband and my parents and siblings) so this would be super cute to do with them all there! Love the printable sheet. Thank you 🙂
Your gingerbread houses are too pretty to eat. I’ve never made a ginger bread house before. But I’m going to try out this time! Thanks for the house templates.
LOV THIS PINK HOUSE
@ sandy: I’m sure they’ll be adorable!
@ maria jose alejos azcona: Gracias!
Hi @ Sharon: I have seen it done, yes.
Hi @ Ann: If covered with cellophane it’s probably better to eat on Dec. 25th. We have been known to keep it uncovered, and by Christmas we usually just pick off the candy.
Yay! @ Angie @ Big Bear’s Wife: hope you have fun making them!
Thanks @ Roshini and @ lili!
These are so cute and pretty <3
Love love the color palettes for each of these adorable gingerbread houses….thank you for the video ….this is like the best blog post ever…..
I get so inspired reading your ideas and the pics are great ! how can I post a pic or 2 of the house I built for the nursing home where my wife is a D.O.N. ? thanks! Just a old granpa who enjoys cake decorating and candy making.
Aw, @ Omziin, @ Wendy flick: Thank you!!
How fantastic, @ Don Kurzejeski, I LOVE it!! I would love to see photos… Some options for sharing… On my facebook page, on twitter, on instagram, or if you share it on your own photosharing page, like a flicker page, just leave me the link here. Hope that helps and looking forward to seeing them!