Gingerbread House Frame (Print Version)

Festive gingerbread frame with spices and sweet treats, ideal for holiday table displays and celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gingerbread Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
03 - 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
04 - 3 1/2 tbsp molasses or dark honey
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 tsp ground ginger
07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cloves
09 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
10 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Royal Icing

11 - 1 egg white
12 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1/2 tsp lemon juice

→ Decoration

14 - 1 3/4 oz white chocolate, melted
15 - Assorted white and brown candies (e.g., chocolate buttons, white sprinkles, mini marshmallows)
16 - Edible glitter or silver pearls (optional)

# How To:

01 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
02 - Add the egg and molasses, mixing thoroughly to combine.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
05 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/5 inch (5 mm) thickness. Cut house panel shapes (front, back, sides, roof) approximately 4–5 inches (10–12 cm) per panel using templates or a knife.
07 - Arrange the cut pieces on the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are just firm. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Beat egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice, continuing to beat until thick and glossy.
09 - Use royal icing as adhesive to attach the gingerbread panels, holding each piece in place briefly until set. Allow the assembled frame to dry fully, at least 30 minutes.
10 - Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frame and affix candies with royal icing. Optionally dust with edible glitter or silver pearls.
11 - Place the completed gingerbread house frame on a platter and arrange additional cookies or holiday treats around it to create a festive border.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's the kind of project that looks incredibly impressive but doesn't require professional baking skills—just patience and a steady hand with royal icing.
  • Your kitchen will smell like a holiday fantasy, and the finished frame becomes an edible centerpiece that's almost too beautiful to disturb.
  • It transforms a simple platter into a festive focal point that makes guests feel like you've planned something truly special, even though the hard part is mostly just waiting for things to dry.
02 -
  • Royal icing is your secret weapon—it's both edible glue and decoration. If it's too thick, a drop of water loosens it; if it's too thin, more powdered sugar thickens it. This flexibility saved my first house when I got the consistency slightly wrong.
  • Don't skip the chilling step, and don't rush the drying time. I once tried to decorate a house before the icing fully set, and the whole thing shifted slightly, throwing off the alignment. Now I use a timer and stay patient.
  • Bake your panels completely flat on a level surface. If your oven runs hot or your rack tilts, your panels will warp. If warping happens, you can gently reshape them while they're still warm, though prevention is always better.
03 -
  • Bake your panels the day before assembly and store them in an airtight container. This gives you time to correct any warping issues and ensures your panels are completely dry and structurally sound before you start building.
  • Make extra royal icing—you'll use more for assembly than you initially think, and having extra prevents stress if you need to reinforce a joint or add extra decoration.
  • If your house seems wobbly, use small toothpicks inserted horizontally through the icing joints to create internal support—they're invisible once the candies are placed, but they make the difference between a sturdy structure and one that shifts slightly.
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