Festive Gingerbread House Candy (Printable Version)
A festive edible gingerbread house decorated with vibrant candies for a colorful holiday centerpiece.
# What You'll Need:
→ Gingerbread Dough
01 - 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 2/3 cup molasses
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 tbsp ground ginger
07 - 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cloves
09 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
10 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Royal Icing
12 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 large egg whites (or 1/4 cup pasteurized liquid egg whites)
14 - 1/2 tsp lemon juice
→ Decorations
15 - 1 cup assorted candies (gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate buttons, mini marshmallows, licorice, sprinkles, etc.)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate molasses and egg; mix well.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients, stirring until dough forms.
04 - Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
05 - Roll out chilled dough onto a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out house parts: two walls, two roof panels, and two gable ends. Transfer shapes to prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until pieces are firm and lightly browned. Cool completely on wire racks.
07 - Beat egg whites and lemon juice until frothy. Slowly add powdered sugar while beating until stiff peaks form.
08 - Transfer royal icing to a piping bag. Pipe icing along edges of gingerbread pieces and press together firmly. Hold in place briefly to set. Allow assembled structure to dry for at least 1 hour.
09 - Use remaining royal icing as adhesive to attach assorted candies. Let icing dry completely before handling.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's a showstopper centerpiece that's actually delicious—not just decorative cardboard.
- Building it together becomes a cherished holiday memory, not just another dessert task.
- The spiced gingerbread stays fresh for days, letting you enjoy it long after the decorating is done.
02 -
- Rushing the assembly before the walls fully set is the fastest way to watch your house lean and crack—patience here saves heartbreak.
- Pasteurized egg whites aren't just safer, they beat to stiffer peaks than raw ones, giving you stronger icing that actually holds candy in place.
03 -
- Make your house the day before serving so the structure fully hardens and the flavors have time to meld.
- Store it in a cool, dry place (not the refrigerator) under a loose cake dome or box to protect it from humidity and dust while keeping air circulation.