Helpful Tips and Tricks for Building the Perfect Gingerbread House

Gingerbread house
Image by White77 from Pixabay

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without gingerbread houses. They are the perfect decorative pieces and they can be eaten afterward, but more importantly, building them is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.

And making a gingerbread house doesn’t have to be that hard even though it requires a bit of effort and attention to detail. So, if you don’t want to settle for just any gingerbread house and want it to be as perfect as it can be, check out these helpful tips and tricks.

Bake Your Own Gingerbread

Sure, kits that can be bought in grocery stores are the simplest and easiest ways to make a gingerbread house. However, they often look artificial, poorly made, and not that tasty. This is why you should go one extra step and make your own gingerbread.

Make Templates and Plan Ahead

If you choose to make your gingerbread, then you need a plan. Find a template that you like (the internet is full of them) and then replicate it on paper. Use the paper templates to cut the gingerbread dough into required shapes before baking. You should also plan ahead and make cuts for doors and windows. However, remove the pieces only after baking to ensure their shape remains perfect.

Decorate First

Most people like to assemble their gingerbread house and only then do they turn to decoration. But the better way is to decorate first and assemble second. This way, you avoid potential damages to the structure of your house.

Double-Check

After baking, double-check the measurements using your paper templates as the gingerbread can sometimes expand while in the oven. If this is the case, just use the grater to trim the edges and get the pieces to the required length.

Be Patient

You don’t have to assemble your gingerbread house in one go. Glue the walls first and let them sit for a few hours before adding the rest of the pieces to allow the icing to harden.

Sturdier Roof

One cool way to strengthen your gingerbread house and ensure it doesn’t fall apart. Before placing the roof, make several gingerbread pillars and place them underneath.