Sugar and spice make this neighborhood nice.

Making a gingerbread house with friends and family always seems to be on the Christmas season activity list, and rightfully so. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon unleashing creativity and making memories with loved ones. However, the thought of how the afternoon is going to go, and the reality of how it actually goes can be completely different. Visions of a perfectly whimsical gingerbread house actually take hours of dedication to bring to reality.

To help save time and overuse of icing as glue, we’ve brought in the experts from Hy-Vee Bakery to give their pro tips on how to create the perfect gingerbread house.

Wendy’s Gingerbread House

Prep Time 1 Day   |   Cook Time 11-15 Minutes   |   Total Time 1 Day   |   Servings 1 House

Ingredients

Instructions

STEP 1

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Set aside.

STEP 2

Mix butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs, molasses, and water to the butter and brown sugar.

STEP 3

Mix dry and wet ingredients together until well blended.

STEP 4

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to three hours.

STEP 5

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

STEP 6

Roll out dough to quarter-inch thickness and cut out shapes for the house. (A gingerbread house cookie cutter set can be purchased online.)

STEP 7

Bake for 11 to 15 minutes, until the edges darken.

Assembly

STEP 1

Join walls by piping icing along the bottom of the side wall and along the bottom and inside of the other wall. Join the panels so that a side wall is positioned on the inside edge of a peaked wall. Press the sides together and attach them to the base. Hold in place for several minutes until the icing begins to set.

STEP 2

Attach another side wall and peaked wall in the same way.

STEP 3

Press together, and let dry at least one hour before going to the next step.

STEP 4

Pipe the icing along the roof angle of both peaked wall panels and along the top side walls. Pipe icing along one long side of one roof panel. (This will be the peak of the roof.) Position one roof section, so it meets the peaked wall and side wall edges.

STEP 5

Hold this half in place while you add the other roof section.

STEP 6

Adjust so that each side is evenly pitched and the center seam meets. Press and hold in place several minutes to allow the icing to set.

STEP 7

Let your house dry at least two to three hours before decorating.

Tips From the Expert

TIP 1

For a sturdier gingerbread home, place styrofoam or a block of Rice Krispie treats inside to help keep the walls up and stable.

TIP 2

Use royal icing for your piping.

TIP 3

Use as much candy, fruit, and cookies as you want. Be creative and have fun!