Gingerbread House Frame (Printable Version)

A festive gingerbread house frame centerpiece featuring classic spices and sweet decorations for holiday tables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Gingerbread Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
03 - 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/3 cup molasses or dark honey
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 tsp ground ginger
07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cloves
09 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
10 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Royal Icing

11 - 1 egg white
12 - 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 1/2 tsp lemon juice

→ Decoration

14 - 1 3/4 oz white chocolate, melted
15 - Assorted white and brown candies (e.g., chocolate buttons, white sprinkles, mini marshmallows)
16 - Edible glitter or silver pearls (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
02 - Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture and blend thoroughly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
04 - Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring to form a smooth dough. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
06 - On a floured surface, roll the dough to approximately 1/5 inch (5 mm) thickness. Cut out house panel shapes measuring roughly 4–5 inches (10–12 cm) using templates.
07 - Arrange the cut pieces on the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just firm. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
08 - Beat the egg white until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and lemon juice, continuing to beat until the icing is thick and glossy.
09 - Use royal icing as an adhesive to attach the panels together, holding each piece briefly until set. Allow the house frame to fully dry for at least 30 minutes.
10 - Drizzle melted white chocolate over the frame and affix assorted candies and sprinkles using royal icing. Dust with edible glitter if desired.
11 - Place the assembled gingerbread house frame on a platter and arrange additional festive treats around it to complete the centerpiece.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's the kind of centerpiece that makes guests say 'you made that?' even though it's simpler than you'd think
  • Doubles as both decoration and something actually edible, so nothing goes to waste
  • The aroma while it bakes fills your home with that unmistakable holiday comfort that no candle can replicate
  • You can prepare the pieces ahead and assemble whenever inspiration strikes, making it stress-free
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling step. I learned this the hard way when I tried to rush and ended up with dough that was too sticky to roll and pieces that spread unevenly in the oven. Thirty minutes of patience saves thirty minutes of frustration.
  • Your royal icing needs to be thick enough to hold structural weight but thin enough to pipe. If it's too stiff, add water one drop at a time. Too thin? More powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time. This discovery changed everything about my assembly success rate.
03 -
  • If your walls are leaning while the icing dries, use wooden dowels or thick pretzel sticks propped against them as temporary support. No one will see them, and they disappear once the icing sets.
  • White chocolate is forgiving for drizzles, but if you're nervous about using the oven version, simply let it set at room temperature. It takes longer but gives you more control.
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