Gingerbread House Frame (Printable)

A gingerbread house frame centerpiece in warm hues, perfect for showcasing seasonal sweets and treats.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gingerbread Dough

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

→ Royal Icing

11 - 1 egg white
12 - 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

→ Decoration

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

# How to make it:

01 - In a large bowl, cream together unsalted butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and molasses, mixing thoroughly.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
04 - Set oven temperature to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
05 - On a floured surface, roll dough to approximately 1/5 inch (5 mm) thickness. Using templates, cut out panels for house frame (front, back, sides, roof) roughly 4 to 5 inches each.
06 - Arrange cut pieces on prepared sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just firm. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
07 - Beat egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice, continuing to beat until mixture is thick and glossy.
08 - Use royal icing as adhesive to join panels, holding pieces briefly until set. Allow assembled frame to dry thoroughly, at least 30 minutes.
09 - Drizzle melted white chocolate over frame. Adorn with assorted candies and sprinkles, affixing them with royal icing. Optionally, dust with edible glitter.
10 - Place completed gingerbread house frame on serving platter. Arrange additional holiday treats around to create a festive display.

# Recipe Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms your holiday table into a showstopping centerpiece that's actually delicious to eat
  • The warm spices create that cozy, festive aroma that makes any home feel like December
  • Building it together becomes a cherished family ritual, not just another dessert to prepare
  • It's sturdy enough to hold candies and treats around it, creating a natural frame for your favorite holiday goodies
02 -
  • Your royal icing must be truly thick and glossy before you use it as structural glue—thin icing won't hold panels upright, so keep beating until it reaches soft-peak stage and coats the back of a spoon
  • Baking the panels a day ahead and storing them airtight before assembly changes everything; they become more stable, and you can assemble with less stress knowing your foundation is rock-solid
  • Don't skip the complete cooling phase between baking and assembly; warm gingerbread is fragile, and you'll have cracking failures if you rush
03 -
  • If your panels are cracking during cutting, your dough is too cold and brittle—let it warm at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling
  • Save leftover royal icing in an airtight container; it lasts a week and becomes your emergency adhesive if pieces shift
  • The first gingerbread frame you make might look humble, but it will taste incredible and teach you everything you need to know for creating showstoppers in years to come
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