Gingerbread House Façades

When I build a holiday gingerbread house, I’m always a tiny bit sad to have only one to decorate. I also dislike waiting for the frosting-glue to dry. Soooo impatient!

I’m solving problems all over the place: Just make the front!
These cute houses are perfect for little hands to decorate, or big-person creativity! How cute would these look lined up on a mantle?

Create your own shape or use the template below. (Print it out so it’s about 4-by-5-inches)

5 from 1 vote

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Gingerbread House Façades

Work Time

1 hr 15 mins

Cook Time

9 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 35 mins

 

Have just as much fun decorating the fronts of these individual cookies as a whole house. Easier to eat for sure!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Gingerbread house façades

Calories: 3177 kcal

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for work surface
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground pepper
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 Gingerbread House Façade template see below
• 1 cup Royal Icing recipe graphic below
• 4 to 5 oz assorted candy

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cloves and pepper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light, about 2 min. Beat in egg and molasses until combined. Add flour mixture; beat until a dough forms. Halve dough, wrap in plastic wrap, flatten into disks and chill until firm, about 45 min.
3. Heat oven to 350ºF and place rack in center. Line two baking sheets with parchment. On a floured work surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using template and a small knife, cut out houses and transfer to prepared sheets. Bake until set, 7 to 9 min. Transfer sheets to wire racks and let cool 2 min. Transfer cookies to racks and let cool completely.
4. Transfer 1 cup icing to a decorating bag fitted with a small plain tip (tip #3). Secure end of bag with a rubber band, squeezing out air. Decorate façades with icing and candy.

Recipe Notes

A great idea for a mantle display!

Recipe and Food Styling Tara Bench
Photography Ellie Miller
Prop Styling Renata Chaplynsky