Gingerbread House Tips & Homemade Royal Icing Recipe for the Holidays
Your easy, kid-friendly guide to building festive, fun, and delicious holiday gingerbread houses!
If your family loves holiday traditions, making a gingerbread house is one of the sweetest (and messiest!) ways to get into the season. 💙 A few years ago, I finally gave it a try—surrounded by graham crackers, candy, and a bunch of excited kiddos—and y’all… it was SO fun, surprisingly easy, and absolutely delicious! Even though it’s been a few years, this memory still comes to mind every holiday season, and I couldn’t resist sharing all the tips and tricks I learned to make your own gingerbread house magic this year.
Here’s how you can make your own gingerbread house — no stress, no fuss, just lots of memories.
What You Need to Make an Easy Gingerbread House
Whether you’re building a classic gingerbread cottage or a quick, kid-friendly version, here are the essentials:
1. The House Pieces
Big confession: we didn’t even use gingerbread.
We used graham crackers — and honestly, it was the best hack ever.
They’re sturdy, easy to break into shapes, and you can skip mixing and baking dough altogether.
Of course, you can absolutely make traditional gingerbread or use a premade kit. Just know that if flavor matters… graham crackers win! 😉
2. The “Glue”
Most gingerbread houses are held together with icing, but not all icing is created equal.
Your best bet is royal icing because it dries fast and rock-hard — perfect for walls that don’t collapse!
Some people also use melted sugar, but be careful if you try that method — it’s extremely hot.
My friend’s family makes their own icing every year using a recipe passed down for generations… and lucky for us, she shared it! (It’s below!)
3. Decorations
This is where the magic — and the sugar rush — happens. A few ideas:
- Gumdrops
- Mini candy canes
- M&Ms (regular and mini)
- Sprinkles
- Wafer cookies
- Colored sugar
- Pretzel sticks
- Marshmallows
Truly, anything goes. If it’s sweet, crunchy, or colorful, it’s fair game!
Tips for Building a Sturdy Gingerbread House
A little planning goes a long way! Here’s what helped us:
Use a Template (or Lay Out a Plan)
If you’re using traditional gingerbread, a template helps keep things symmetrical.
With graham crackers, we simply broke pieces into squares and rectangles and arranged them like puzzle pieces before assembling.
Build From the Inside Out
Start with the inside walls and work your way outward. This gives your structure more stability—especially once you add the roof.
Be Gentle With the Roof
Whether it’s gingerbread or graham crackers, roofs are delicate!
Hold them in place for a few seconds while the icing sets, and resist the urge to pile on decorations too quickly.
How to Decorate Your Gingerbread House
Now for the fun part!
Use icing, sprinkles, candies, or whatever treats you love. Royal icing works beautifully in a piping bag, a squeeze bottle, or even a Ziploc with a tiny snip in the corner.
And yes… we absolutely used a spoon at one point. No judgment here.
⭐ Homemade Royal Icing Recipe
(The best icing for gingerbread houses — dries fast and strong!)
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions:
- Beat everything together on high for 7–10 minutes.
- Use immediately for best results.
A Few Helpful Tips:
- Clean your tools right away — this icing dries like concrete!
- Make sure your bowl and beaters are completely grease-free or the icing won’t set properly.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing like gathering around the table with friends or family and decorating a gingerbread house during the holidays. Whether you use graham crackers like we did or go full-traditional with homemade gingerbread, the experience is full of laughter, creativity, and pure seasonal joy.
So don’t overthink it — grab your candy, whip up some icing, and make a memory you’ll want to repeat every year. 💙