How to Make a Gingerbread House

Crafting with the family is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Here is How to Make a Gingerbread House - even if you think you can't!

I would like to think that I've always embraced the holiday season, but the truth is there is one thing I've always steered clear of - decorating a gingerbread house.

I can remember when the boys were little, and I talked my Mom into doing one with them so that I didn't have to.

Why? Because I was utterly convinced that I couldn't do it.

While there is no doubt that my Mom is craftier than I am, one thing I've been trying to do more lately is step out of my comfort zone in ways that help me to embrace life.

This year, I decided that we were going to have a Gingerbread house!

And I've got to tell you, it was SO. MUCH. FUN. So much fun that after I did mine, I put together houses for the kids to do.

If this is a holiday activity you think is only for the artistically gifted, I have to tell you that anyone can do it. Trust me. If I can do it, you can too!

Even though I’m not skilled enough to create intricate designs with icing, my Gingerbread House still came out cute thanks to the Nestlé Holiday seasonal offerings.

I stocked up on the new Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Snowman, Original Spree in holiday-themed colors and Everlasting Gobstopper Snowballs. These tasty treats were a hit with the whole family.

They are the perfect festive addition to our gingerbread houses.

How cute is the snowman mold of the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Snowman? It has the classic Butterfinger crispy, crunchy, peanut-butter flavor with a smooth milk chocolate coating with no artificial flavors or colors. It is the perfect Holiday treat or baking accessory.

Red and green Original Spree are the perfect complement to your holiday decor. I love how they cover my gingerbread house along with the Gobstopper Snowballs. They are such a colorful gift, perfect for crafts and have no artificial flavors.

How adorable os this Nestlé Crunch Medallion, which is molded with a festive gingerbread man and his adorable little puppy? It would make a perfect gift along with this Nestle Crunch 1 pound bar. Neither of these have artificial flavors or colors.

Another fun option for the holiday season is the SweeTARTS Merry Mix. With snowmen, bell and tree shapes, these are perfect for decorating, baking and snacking.

How to Make a Gingerbread House

To make your gingerbread house you have three basic options.

• Buy a pre-assembled house and get right to decorating.
• Buy a house that requires you to construct it.
• Make a house from scratch with homemade gingerbread and molds/patterns.

The most important thing to remember when creating your Gingerbread House is to take your time! (Believe me, I learned this the hard way.)

If you decide to construct the house, it is important that you allow the sides to set for a couple of hours before putting the roof on, and the house to dry completely before you attempt to decorate it.

How Do You Make Icing for a Gingerbread House

If you purchase I house, it may come with icing. If not, I recommend using Fondant icing to attach the candy to your Gingerbread house.

How Do You Put Together a Gingerbread House

• You will want to have a base to build your house on. A small foam board works great.
• Your house should have six pieces. Two peak pieces, two side pieces, and two roof pieces.
• Start by joining a side panel to a peak panel.
• To do this, you want to pipe icing along the bottom of the side panel and the bottom and inside edge of the peaked panel. Press the sides together and attach to the base. Hold it together for a few minutes and allow it to set. Then use cans to prop it and let it sit for 15 minutes prior to proceeding.
• Repeat with the remaining peaked panel and side panel to form the walls of the house.
• Allow to sit for two hours.
• Attach the roof by piping icing along the roof angle of both peaked panels and the top of the side panel. Pipe icing on the long side of one of the roof panels. Position the roof panel, so it meets the peaked panel and side panel edges. Hold this in place while you add the other roof panel. Hold so that it is evenly pitched and the center seam meets. Press together and hold in place for five minutes.
• Allow to dry overnight.

Decorating Your Gingerbread House

Now the fun part!

When it comes to decorating a Gingerbread House, the sky is the limit!

Start with Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Snowman and Original Spree in holiday-themed colors and Everlasting Gobstopper Snowballs, and you will have everything you need to make a cute and delicious gingerbread house!

I used the Spree to create a colorful pattern on my roof and front of the house, and the Everlasting Gobstopper Snowballs as trim and for the windows. You want to go slowly and press everything into the icing, holding it for a minute to make sure that it adheres. If you find that things are falling off when you move to other areas, take a break and let what you have already done dry prior to proceeding.

If you decide to create a gingerbread house for your family, I would love to see your creation!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nestle. The opinions and text are all mine.