Save to Pinterest A festive and interactive holiday platter featuring gingerbread house pieces, assorted candies, and decorative sweets for building and enjoying your own edible gingerbread creations.
This has become a favorite tradition in our family gatherings, where everyone enjoys building and customizing their own gingerbread houses.
Ingredients
- Gingerbread House Pieces: 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened, 2/3 cup (225 g) molasses, 1 large egg, 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt
- Royal Icing (for glue): 2 large egg whites, 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
- Decorations & Candy: 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup assorted gumdrops, 1 cup candy canes, crushed or mini whole, 1 cup chocolate buttons or M&Ms, 1 cup peppermint candies, 1 cup jelly beans, 1/2 cup pretzel sticks, assorted sprinkles, edible glitter (optional)
- Extras: 1/2 cup shredded coconut (for snow effect), 1 cup fresh berries (optional, for color)
Instructions
- Prepare the gingerbread dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg, mixing well. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until a dough forms. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Bake gingerbread pieces:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough to 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thickness. Using templates or cookie cutters, cut out gingerbread house panels (walls, roofs, doors) and transfer to lined baking sheets. Bake 12–15 minutes until firm. Let cool completely.
- Make the royal icing:
- Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag.
- Arrange and set up:
- Arrange all gingerbread pieces, candies, and decorations on a large board or platter. Place bowls of icing for glue and small spatulas or piping bags nearby.
- Assemble:
- Invite guests to assemble and decorate their own mini gingerbread houses using the provided pieces, icing, and candies.
- Decorate:
- Sprinkle shredded coconut over the board for a snowy effect. Add berries for fresh color, if using.
- Enjoy:
- Enjoy as a festive centerpiece and delicious treat!
Save to Pinterest My family loves gathering around this board, making memories while building their gingerbread houses and adding personal touches.
Notes
Store leftover gingerbread in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Pair with hot chocolate, mulled wine, or spiced cider for a cozy experience.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowls, electric mixer, rolling pin, gingerbread house templates or cookie cutters, baking sheets, parchment paper, piping bags or small spatulas, large serving board or platter, small bowls for candies
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (butter). Some candies may contain nuts or soy always check packaging. For severe allergies, ensure all ingredients are certified allergen-free.
Save to Pinterest With these tips, your gingerbread house board will be both beautiful and delicious, perfect for holiday fun and festivities.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prepare the gingerbread pieces?
Combine butter, brown sugar, molasses, and spices with flour to create a dough. Chill, roll to 1/4 inch thickness, cut into house panels, and bake until firm.
- → What binds the gingerbread pieces together?
Royal icing made from egg whites, powdered sugar, and cream of tartar is used as a glue to assemble the gingerbread house components.
- → Can this be made vegetarian-friendly?
Yes, all ingredients are vegetarian. For egg-free icing, substitute egg whites with aquafaba for a similar binding effect.
- → How do I add a snowy effect to the board?
Sprinkle shredded coconut over the assembled setup to mimic snow, enhancing the winter holiday atmosphere.
- → What types of candies are included for decoration?
Assorted candies like mini marshmallows, gumdrops, candy canes, chocolate buttons, peppermint candies, jelly beans, pretzel sticks, and sprinkles are provided for colorful decoration.