Gingerbread Houses are a delightful Christmas Tradition dating back to the early 1600s. If you would like to learn how to make a gingerbread house, then this page is for you. Whether elaborately decorated creations that take weeks to assemble, or simple projects done with children, gingerbread houses are an important part of Christmas for some families. If you've always wanted to tackle a gingerbread house, but have not been sure where to begin, this page is for you. Read on to learn how to make a gingerbread house!

Gingerbread houses are made with rigid gingerbread, not the soft dessert cake of the same name. The consistency of Gingerbread used for cookies usually falls somewhere between the cake and gingerbread used for houses. Candies and decorations are affixed with royal icing. One of the key points to remember about an authentic gingerbread house is that everything used in it's construction should be edible, even though most people never eat a gingerbread house.

1. Gingerbread cut into sides and roof pieces
2. Royal icing
3. Items to be used decorations, such as gumdrops, candy candy, peppermint circles, etc.
4. Spatula
5. Aluminum Foil
6. Cookie Sheet
7. Juice Cans

The exact assembly method will depend on the template you used for the gingerbread house, but there are some basic principle you can use to help make sure your gingerbread house is sturdy and stable.

1. Start with a sturdy base, such as a platter or cookie sheet. Cover the base with aluminum foil that you can affix decorations to.
2. Use juice cans of various sizes to prop up the sides of the gingerbread house while you are waiting for the royal icing to set.
3. Keep the royal icing covered while working so that it doesn't dry out.

1. In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and spices. Set this bowl aside.
2. In the bowl of a heavy duty mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add the egg and molasses until combined.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
5. Divide the dough in four pieces.
6. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
8. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
9. Roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch thick on a flat surface lightly dusted with flour.
10. Cut out the dough using your gingerbread house template
11. Place the house pieces on the cookie sheet.
12. Bake the pieces in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes depending on their size.
    • The pieces are done with the edges begin to brown.
13. Remove from the oven and cool on a rack for approximately 2 hours before assembling.