DIY Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread Houses

Some years back I started a tradition with my niece, nephew, and oldest daughter decorating gingerbread houses. I bought $5 kits and we each had our own. The next year I couldn't find any that price they were all at least $10 so I decided to figure out what we could do to have the fun without paying an arm and a leg.

My dad is handy so I had him build some houses based on graham cracker dimensions. He purchased enough plywood for 4 houses (1 for each grandkid - by then I had another child) and began building. They are very sturdy and so are the bases, unlike those plastic ones the kits come with.  You could also use milk cartons or boxes glued down to a heavy cardboard base.

I purchased cheap gum drops, fruit slices, candy canes, hard candies, etc and we use those to decorate with. Any leftovers hit the freezer til the next year. Many times you can find sales of Christmas colored goodies after Christmas.  You can also buy those cute little realistic trees that they use for those Victorian villages.  

Here is the house and base before I get started.

I cover them with freezer paper.  I put the shiny side out so the frosting doesn't leech into the paper.

Royal icing (makes about 6 cups)
6 tablespoons Meringue Powder 
2 pounds powdered sugar
3/4 cup warm water (don't add all at first)

Beat all ingredients until icing forms peaks (7-10 minutes on medium.)  You want your frosting thick but not so thick the kiddos can't squeeze it through a piping bag. Use disposable decorating bags, add the frosting and then use a rubberband to keep it closed.  It will prevent the frosting from getting squeezed out the wrong end and getting all over the place. 

With a frosting spatula or flat knife spread some frosting glue onto the roof and sides and attach graham crackers.  You will need to cut some of your graham crackers for the ends that are angled.  Used a serrated knife like you would a saw.

Start decorating!!

 I let the kids decorate however they want.  It's their house!

My daughter always asks me to do the icicles.  I use a #18 star tip here and make something like shells and drag them down.  Takes a little practice but remember that real icicles aren't perfect.

Don't want to buy the Victorian style trees?  Use ice cream cones covered in green royal frosting.

For added snow effect.  When the house is done I add snow to cover the base.  Use your spatula to make it all bumpy.  It really does look like snow.

I bought each of the kids these cute little penguin ornaments and took off the hardware. They put the on their bases as added decoration.

 Final product for this year.

My youngest, so proud of her work.

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Here are a few other years we made them.

2006

2009

2010

2011

2012