The Best 15 Gingerbread House Ideas
This is basically the only time that decorating is more fun than eating.
As the rumor goes, gingerbread houses first appeared in Germany in the 19th century, when they were popularized by the book Hansel and Gretel. While this story is just conjecture, there is one thing we know for sure: building a gingerbread house is the perfect holiday activity.
Whether you need a lovely, eye-catching centerpiece to decorate your Christmas dinner table, something delicious to throw onto the kids' table, or showcase alongside the Christmas cookies in your holiday dessert spread, there's likely a gingerbread house for you.
Cue the Christmas music, pop some popcorn, and get ready to spend time with friends, family, and kids making these adorable creations you'll enjoy all season long And if all this house-building is making you hungry for the spiced treat, we've got plenty more gingerbread cookies and gingerbread recipes, too.
Gingerbread Barn
Give this gingerbread barn some country character with an almond slice shingle roof, rosemary trees, Rice Krispies Treats hay bales, and more edible elements.
Gingerbread House Cottages
Why make a gingerbread house, when you can have an idyllic little gingerbread home? Choose between a bran-cereal thatched roof or a snow-covered cabin, or make both!
Gingerbread Pickup Truck
Edible decorations make for unforgettable holiday moments. Expand the tradition beyond houses with a country-approved gingerbread pickup truck.
Gingerbread Train Cars
The tastiest treat on wheels just pulled into the station. Next stop, Sweet Tooth Junction! Easy to assemble, this four-car train is also completely edible.
Snowcapped Classic Gingerbread House
This classic gingerbread house is decorated with a cute pink tree in the yard and bright sprigs of holly above the door.
Get the tutorial at Sally's Baking Addiction.
Gingerbread House Ornament
Spruce up your Christmas tree decorations with these mini gingerbread houses. Pick some colorful ribbon to hang from the branch or go with classic silver or gold.
Get the tutorial at Craftstorming.
Nutty No-Bake Gingerbread House
This graham cracker-based gingerbread house gets its rustic walls and roof from whole almonds and sliced almonds. Pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, and cashews are also used on the house.
Get the tutorial at Life Made Sweeter.
Gingerbread Bird House
Not only are these mini gingerbread houses super cute, but there are also templates included in the tutorial, ensuring you'll get the right size and shape of cookie pieces.
Get the tutorial at Haniela's.
Nut Gingerbread House
Pecan shingles make for a positively dashing addition to this fun gingerbread house, as do sunflower "bricks." Just be sure to check for food allergies before embarking on this project with kids!
Get the tutorial at The First Year Blog.
Lebkuchen Houses
Lebkuchen, a German treat similar to gingerbread, is the star of this lace-decorated design.
Get the tutorial at Ivynik.
Candy Cane Gingerbread House
Does it get anymore Christmasy than gingerbread and candy canes? We don't think so!
Get the tutorial at Brit + Co.
A Very Fairy Gingerbread House
This whimsical project looks like it came straight out of Whoville.
Get the tutorial at Will Cook for Friends.
Gingerbread House Dough
A multicolored sprinkle walkway, red accents, and classic evergreens create an enchanting winter abode.
Get the tutorial at Sprinkle Bakes.
Winter Wonderland Gingerbread House
Decorate your gingerbread with all-white icing to make it look like the ultimate winter wonderland.
Get the tutorial at Frog Prince Papery.
Rustic Log Cabin
This cozy gingerbread house has a pretzel stick exterior attached with hot caramel, and a roof that features giant chocolate buttons.
Get the tutorial at Vikalinka.
Charlyne Mattox is the Food and Crafts director with over 20 years recipe development, recipe editing, and crafting experience. Prior to starting at Country Living in 2014, she worked in the crafts department at Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Kids before attending cooking school at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She was nominated for a James Beard media award while a senior editor at Real Simple magazine and authored a cookbook Cooking with Seeds.
When not in the kitchen she loves to garden, focusing on growing flowers and kitchen herbs (of course), watering her 25 house plants, and knitting scarfs or hats she will never be able to wear in the always hot and steamy Alabama.Â
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