Gingerbread for Houses

Transform your holiday crafting with this foolproof Gingerbread for Houses recipe, perfect for building festive and sturdy gingerbread creations. This dough is specially formulated with just the right balance of spices—ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—for a fragrant aroma and warm flavors, while its durable texture ensures your structures stand tall. With a blend of molasses for rich color and a sturdy hold once baked, these gingerbread pieces are easy to roll, cut, and shape into walls and roofs. Ideal for beginner and experienced bakers alike, this recipe provides a reliable foundation for your edible architecture, whether you're constructing a simple cottage or an elaborate gingerbread mansion. Use royal icing to secure your pieces, and unleash your creativity with classic candy decorations for a magical and delicious centerpiece this holiday season.

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 6 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Molasses
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the molasses and water to the butter and sugar mixture, beating until well combined.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a stiff dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until workable.

Step 5

Divide the dough into two large disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and firm up.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 7

Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.

Step 8

Using templates or freehand, cut out the shapes needed for your gingerbread house (e.g., walls, roof panels, door). Transfer the cutouts carefully to the prepared baking sheets.

Step 9

Bake the gingerbread pieces in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through to ensure even baking.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let the pieces cool completely on the baking sheets. The gingerbread will harden further as it cools, making it perfect for construction.

Step 11

Once cooled, assemble your gingerbread house using royal icing as glue, and decorate as desired with candies, sprinkles, or other edible decorations.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1497.9 grams (1497.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5168

Total Fat 104.00g	133%
Saturated Fat 57.20g	286%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 248mg	83%
Sodium 3778mg	164%
Total Carbohydrate 999.70g	364%
Dietary Fiber 25.00g	89%
Total Sugars 441.10g
Protein 75.90g	152%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 882mg	68%
Iron 50mg	276%
Potassium 5544mg	118%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.9%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 76.3%