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.
Stacie
This is such a great resource. This could have saved me and my children so much heartache the first time we "made" a gingerbread house. Emphasis on the quotes. LOL
GiGi Eats
I have legit always wanted to make a gingerbread house before!!!
Jo
Your gingerbread house is so cute and so colorful! I love it! I have only made them from those store bought kits and they turn out OKAY but not great. I am going to try using your advice and do my own!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I never make gingerbread houses because I'm not creative at all! You gave me the push I need to try it this year!
Jenn
This is a great way to make a gingerbread house. I tried making one last year for the first time. It was much harder than i expected. The girls will love doing this.
Kathy
I love making gingerbread houses. My daughters and I usually make one each year around the holidays. They're a lot of fun to make as well as eat!
steph parrell
My grandmother used to make gingerbread houses from scratch when I was a kid, Lovely tradition!
Ruth I.
Your gingerbread house is so cute! I am scared to create one because I am not crafty too. But I guess with the help of those chocolates, mine will look good. I need to make one with my niece!
Up Run for Life Healthy Lifestyle Blog
It has been several years since I have made a gingerbread house. Yours turned out beautiful. Getting the right icing to glue the house together is key to making a gingerbread house that doesn't fall apart.
Cherri Megasko
Awesome! I don't care who you are, EVERY parent needs to make a gingerbread house with their kids at least once in their lives. I guarantee ... you won't regret it, and your kids will remember it forever.
Mary Edwards
This is great. I definitely would love to make these this year with the kids. It's a tradition that they love so much!! Thanks for the great ideas.
Mimi Green
This is helpful, the kids and I tried making gingerbread houses in the past and we were not successful. We are putting the tree up this weekend and I think we will give this another try.
sara lafountain
Whenever I try to make a gingerbread house my kids just want to eat all the candy. Your house is very cute, ours always fall apart!
Tim B
I don't remember the last time our family made a gingerbread houses. It was always a tradition when I grew up that my grandfather made these elaborate ones every Christmas. They always looked amazing and all the grandkids would be in awe. I want to build one this year for the holidays now!