The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (2024)

Gingerbread House Ideas can range from classic holiday scenes to imaginative edible artistry, limited only by your creativity and sweet tooth. As the holiday approaches, there’s nothing quite as heartwarming as the sight of gingerbread houses adorning our homes and tables.

What follows is a curated list of enchanting gingerbread house designs that will inspire your holiday decorating endeavors and transport you to a magical winter wonderland filled with sugar, spice, and everything nice.

If you’re looking for more ideas on celebrating Christmas, 55 Old Fashioned Christmas Ideas and The Christmas Pickle Tradition will help you get started.

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (1)

From traditional gingerbread houses adorned with candy canes to modern architectural marvels crafted from gingerbread, gathered are an array of sweet designs that are sure to spark your imagination.

You can create your own gingerbread house made from scratch or purchase a gingerbread house kit to make things easier. The whole family will love this heartwarming Christmas tradition.

Here are some ideas to have on hand to add the finishing touches to your gingerbread houses:

  • Ice cream cones can be transformed into trees
  • Jelly beans
  • Pretzel rods
  • Sliced almonds for roof shingles
  • Mini candy canes
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Jolly Ranchers to make stained-glass windows
  • Mini frosted shredded wheat cereal for a thatched gingerbread roof

So grab a cozy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, and let’s explore these delightful gingerbread creations.

Creating a Cozy Life

Since you found this article on Gingerbread House Ideas, I’m guessing you love all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life.

It’s a group where we share recipes, photos of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make you life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.

Here the the Creative Gingerbread House Ideas

1. Blue & Red Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (2)

This gingerbread house has walls adorned with a tranquil shade of blue frosting that evokes the crispness of a winter’s day. At the heart of this sugary abode stands a charming candy cane door, inviting all who approach with a sweet welcome.

The roof, a vibrant shade of red, gleams like a beacon against the snowy backdrop while white icicles dangle from its eaves.

Outside, a gingerbread snowman stands guard, adding an extra touch of enchantment to this confectionary cottage.

2. Storybook Gingerbread House Design

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (3)

Behold a gingerbread house that’s right out of a storybook, where whimsy meets sweetness in perfect harmony.

Its roof is meticulously adorned with a pristine white candy wafers, creating an enchanting contrast against the gingerbread walls. Delicate icicles gracefully hand from the roof’s edge, resembling tiny crystals that glisten in the winter sun.

The front door painted a cheerful red, is adorned with a small heart, inviting all who venture near to feel the love that goes into crafting such a confectionary masterpiece.

3. Simple Gingerbread House with Frosted Reindeer

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (4)

Amid gingerbread house extravagance, simplicity often shines the brightest. This charming gingerbread dwelling boasts a minimalist elegance with its clean white frosted walls and enchanting windows adorned in shimmering gold.

Each golden-stained windowpane seems to glow warmly, inviting you to peer inside and discover the holiday magic within. Alongside the house, a delicate reindeer looks ready to take flight, a symbol of grace and wonder in this enchanting confectionary world.

4. Log Cabin Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (5)

This gingerbread house is a cozy cabin straight from a snowy fairytale. Its walls are now encased in rustic charm, with pretzel rod siding lending a log cabin aesthetic, perfectly complemented by gingerbread’s warm, toasty hues.

As you approach the rustic cabin, a cracker serves as a front door, inviting you inside this rustic retreat from the world. The subtle aroma of ginger and spices fills the air, welcoming you to a world of snug coziness.

5. Red Gingerbread House with Wreath

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (6)

Step into the world of gingerbread enchantment, where a quaint and cozy cottage has been lovingly crafted by gingerbread. Its inviting red walls radiate warmth and cheer, make it a delightful sight to behold.

The four-pane windows, painted in pristine white, invite you to peek inside. A charming window box overflows with greenery, adding a touch of life to this sweet abode. A generously sized wreath hangs proudly at the top of the house, symboling festive joy.

6. Gingerbread Barn

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (7)

In the world of gingerbread creations, a charming gingerbread barn exudes rustic simplicity and holiday charm. Striking red barn doors stand proudly at the entrance, offering a pop of color against the brown and white backdrop.

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (8)

These gingerbread barns offer a delightful fusion of country elegance and. sugary whimsy, a testament to the creativity and festive spirit found in every bite of this masterpiece.

7. Chalet Gingerbread House Design

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (9)

Set against a backdrop of gingerbread sweetness, this charming gingerbread chalet has a white candy wafer roof with icicles hanging from the edges. The brown gingerbread shutters add a touch of rustic elegance to the picture-perfect facade, framing the windows with cozy charm.

The true heart of this confectionary home lies in the front yard, where a Christmas tree stands tall and proud, fashioned from carefully stacked gingerbread cookies. Green frosting transforms the layers into lush branches, while silver accents twinkle like holiday ornaments.

For an easier way to replicate this gingerbread design, you can use graham crackers for the door and shutters.

8. Colorful Gingerbread House with Candy Cane Fence

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (10)

This whimsical gingerbread house bursts with vibrant colors and sugary delights. This enchanting gingerbread house is a visual feast, boasting a playful spectrum of hues that bring irresistible charm to the holiday season.

Its walls are adorned with a rainbow of candies, creating a kaleidoscope of sweetness. A candy cane fence encircles the property, adding a touch of nostalgia and festivity to the scene.

9. White Brick Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (11)

This cute gingerbread house has adorned with white frosting to resemble classic brickwork, exuding an air of timeless elegance.

A playful twist emerges on this gingerbread house as accents of blue and green frosting adorn the structure, serving as a delightful contrast against the white and brown coloring.

10. Whimsical Candy Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (12)

Step into the enchanting world of a whimsical gingerbread house, where sugar, spice, and imagination collide in a delightful symphony. Its gingerbread walls dance with joy, adorned in colorful candies and frosting swirls.

This gingerbread masterpiece embodies the spirit of childlike wonder and creativity.

11. Red and White Gingerbread Houses

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (13)

Smaller gingerbread houses with charming red and white trim exude a delightful and cozy charm. These miniature edible abodes are adorned with intricate details and decorations.

A snowflake at the top of one of the gingerbread houses adds a touch of winter elegance to the structure.

12. Log Cabin Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (14)

The log cabin gingerbread house exudes rustic charm with its sturdy logs, evoking a cozy winter retreat in the heart of a snowy wonderland amidst a forest of miniature Christmas trees.

The crowning glory of this edible cabin is its snow-covered roof, adorned with a glistening blanket of white icing to mimic freshly fallen snow. The roof is further adorned with crushed, multi-colored candies to add a touch of whimsy.

This delightful combination of rustic simplicity and colorful candy accents transforms the gingerbread cabin into a charming and delicious centerpiece.

13. Peppermint Candy Gingerbread House Idea

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (15)

A peppermint candy-themed gingerbread house is a delightful confectionary masterpiece that celebrates the sweet essence of the holiday season. This enchanting creation features red and white peppermint candies that evoke a sense of festive cheer.

14. Gingerbread Church

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (16)

A gingerbread church, with its intricate details and stained glass windows, serves as a sweet homage to architectural craftsmanship and the spirit of togetherness during the holiday season.

15. Roof Made Out of Love

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (17)

The gingerbread house was a true labor of love, with its charming room adorned in a delightful pattern of little hearts, each lovingly piped with sugary icing. This sweet detail transforms a gingerbread house into a symbol of affection and warmth.

16. Swiss Chalet Gingerbread House

The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (18)

The Swiss chalet gingerbread house is reminiscent of the charming alpine architecture found in the heart of Switzerland. It’s a feast for the eyes and a sweet treat for the taste buds, embodying the magic of the holiday season.

We’ve reached the end of The Best Gingerbread House Ideas. I hope you enjoyed it!

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite gingerbread accent is in creating your gingerbread house.

Be sure to join the Creating a Cozy Life group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!

I created a Gingerbread House Idea pin for you below for you to add to your Christmas Pinterest board so you can refer back to this article.

You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you try any of these ideas and take a photo, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.

Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.

More Christmas Articles You’ll Love!

  • 21 Hygge Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas
  • 31 Christmas Aesthetic Pictures – Gifts of the Season
  • How to Have a Simple Christmas
  • Guide to Collecting Vintage Christmas Blow Molds
  • 15 Awesome Rustic Christmas Decorating Ideas
  • Creative Inexpensive Christmas Decorating Ideas
  • Deck the Halls: Vintage Christmas Decorations
  • The Best 24 Christmas Scents Everyone Loves
The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (19)
The BEST Gingerbread House Ideas | Montana Happy (2024)

FAQs

How do you make the strongest gingerbread house? ›

So to make sure our walls could stand strong, we sandwiched melted marshmallow cement between two graham crackers. The marshmallow adds weight, which helps stabilize the structure. It also acts as a sealant, ensuring that the cracker won't crumble.

What is the trick to putting gingerbread house together? ›

Fit Everything Together with Melted Sugar or Royal Icing

The second way is to use burnt sugar as your glue. Just melt C&H® Pure Granulated Cane Sugar in a pan on the stove, dip the gingerbread parts in and hold them together for a few seconds. Then, presto! You've created a solid house.

How to make a gingerbread house step by step? ›

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Patterns. When making a gingerbread house, the most important step is building a strong, sturdy base—and the best way to do that is with a balanced structure. ...
  2. Step 2: Make the Dough. ...
  3. Step 3: Cut Out Shapes. ...
  4. Step 4: Make the Icing. ...
  5. Step 5: Assemble the Base. ...
  6. Step 6: Attach the Roof. ...
  7. Step 7: Decorate.
Nov 26, 2018

How do you spice up a gingerbread house? ›

Make your house lighter and brighter by swapping gingerbread dough with a firm funfetti cookie dough and decorating with pastel treats like butter mints. If you're sticking with traditional gingerbread dough, pastel icing and candy still add a sweet and cheery touch.

What is the best ingredient to keep a gingerbread house from falling apart? ›

Well, TikTok user @tastyentertaining has the answer to all of our gingerbread house problems. She recommends using granulated sugar instead of royal icing to hold the walls together. How? Just melt the sugar in a pan over low heat.

What holds gingerbread houses together the best? ›

It's royal for a reason because royal icing is the king of glues for gingerbread houses. As my go-to choice for edible cement I can't really fault it's versatility and strength. Royal icing for the uninitiated is a mix of egg white and icing sugar.

What are the best gingerbread decorations? ›

One of our favorite aspects about making gingerbread cookies from scratch is being able to decorate them after they cool. Sprinkles, icing, gum drops, mints, chocolates—you can use all these edible items and more to give your cookies their own unique personalities.

Why won t my gingerbread house stay together? ›

Let it dry

“Most gingerbread disasters, collapses, and frustrations happen because the icing hasn't had an adequate amount of time to dry. It's not always easy for kids to be patient, so it's a good idea to have some other activity lined up in between steps to distract kids while they're waiting to work on the house.”

Do you decorate a gingerbread house before or after putting it together? ›

The biggest tip for a professional-looking gingerbread house is to decorate the pieces before you build the house. This lets you make everything perfectly even, and prevents awkward slipping of icing down the sides. One caveat: You want the decorations to dry completely before you build the house.

What candy goes on gingerbread house? ›

Is it really a gingerbread house if it doesn't have gumdrops? Perhaps the most iconic candy for this seasonal project, gumdrops are easy to come by during the holidays and can be used for shrubs, lining walkways, and general house decor.

What do you put under a gingerbread house? ›

Pick a solid base for your gingerbread house - either a flat cookie sheet, or a thick, sturdy piece of cardboard.

What is the best ingredient to keep a gingerbread house from falling? ›

Then take your gingerbread house pieces, dip the edges in melted sugar and hold them together for a few seconds. That's it! The sugar hardens quickly and creates an solid base for tons and tons of decorating.

What is the best ingredient to keep gingerbread houses from falling apart? ›

Royal icing is the edible "glue" or mortar that holds a gingerbread house together and can be used to make fancy sugar decorations. It's the best option for projects like gingerbread houses since, unlike buttercream frosting, royal icing will harden once dry and keep your gingerbread house from falling apart.

Why does my gingerbread house always fall apart? ›

“Most gingerbread disasters, collapses, and frustrations happen because the icing hasn't had an adequate amount of time to dry. It's not always easy for kids to be patient, so it's a good idea to have some other activity lined up in between steps to distract kids while they're waiting to work on the house.”

How do you keep gingerbread house crisp? ›

To achieve crispy, sturdy gingerbread, Lomas recommends letting the baked gingerbread pieces dry out for a day or two. Don't put the pieces in the refrigerator or keep them in a closed container, as this keeps the moisture in. “The longer it dries out, the easier it is to work with for construction purposes,” she said.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6096

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.