Gingerbread houses are a fun holiday tradition. But sometimes it is hard to know how to decorate them. You do not have to just use plain gumdrops anymore. As of the latest holiday trends, people are getting very creative with their candy designs. You can make your house look like a log cabin or a snowy castle. It is a great way to spend a winter afternoon. You can eat the candy while you build. Here are some fun ideas to try this year. These ideas work well for beginners and experts alike.
Before you start, it helps to know how much candy you need. Use the simple calculator below to figure out how many handfuls of candy to buy. Just enter the width of your house base.
Candy Quantity Estimator
Enter the base width of your gingerbread house (inches). We will estimate handfuls of candy needed.
Quick answer: Gingerbread house decor ideas include making stained glass windows from melted candies, shingled roofs from cereal, and rustic walls from pretzel rods. These creative designs use candy and icing to make unique holiday homes.
| Idea Name | Difficulty | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint Roof | Easy | Classic Look |
| Cereal Shingles | Easy | Realistic Texture |
| Stained Glass Windows | Medium | Glowing Light |
| Pretzel Log Walls | Easy | Rustic Vibe |
| Marshmallow Drifts | Easy | Soft Snow |
| Gummy Bear Path | Medium | Colorful Walkway |
| Chocolate Bar Bricks | Medium | Modern Flair |
| Icing Cobblestones | Hard | European Style |
| Coconut Snow Yard | Easy | Realistic Ground |
| Lifesaver Fence | Medium | Neat Border |
| Frosted Flake Trees | Easy | Edible Forest |
| Gel Tile Patio | Hard | Bright Colors |
| Idea Name | Main Material | Time To Add |
|---|---|---|
| Peppermint Roof | Starlight Mints | 15 mins |
| Cereal Shingles | Chex or Fruity Pebbles | 20 mins |
| Stained Glass Windows | Jolly Ranchers | 30 mins |
| Pretzel Log Walls | Pretzel Rods | 25 mins |
| Marshmallow Drifts | Mini Marshmallows | 10 mins |
| Gummy Bear Path | Gummy Bears | 15 mins |
| Chocolate Bar Bricks | Hersey Bars | 10 mins |
| Icing Cobblestones | Royal Icing | 45 mins |
| Coconut Snow Yard | Shredded Coconut | 5 mins |
| Lifesaver Fence | Life Savers | 20 mins |
| Frosted Flake Trees | Frosted Flakes | 15 mins |
| Gel Tile Patio | Fruit Slices | 35 mins |
Approximate Time To Decorate
1. Classic Peppermint Roof
A peppermint roof is a classic choice. You unwrap red and white starlight mints. You use royal icing to glue them flat on the roof. You start at the bottom edge and work your way up to the top. The round candies overlap like shingles.
This look is very traditional and festive. The red and white pops against the brown gingerbread. Wilton says to sort your candies by color before you start. This makes the pattern go faster. You can make stripes of red and white, or mix them up.
Tip: Use a star piping tip to put a small dollop of icing on each candy. It looks neater than spreading it with a knife.
2. Cereal Shingle Roof
A cereal shingle roof is easy and cheap. You use cereal like Chex, Honey Comb, or Fruity Pebbles. You glue the pieces flat on the roof with icing. The texture looks just like real wooden shingles.
This is a great idea if you have kids helping. The pieces are light and easy to handle. Taste of Home says to use rice cereal for a neutral look. If you want a colorful house, use fruity pebbles. The roof will look like a rainbow.
Tip: Do not use flaky cereal. It gets soggy from the icing and falls apart.
3. Stained Glass Windows
Stained glass windows look magical. You crush hard candies like Jolly Ranchers. You put the crushed pieces inside the window cutouts of the gingerbread. You bake the house for a few minutes. The candy melts and becomes a flat window.
When you put a light inside the house, the windows glow like a real stained glass church. The Spruce Eats says to use clear hard candies for the best light. You can mix colors to make a mosaic. Let the candy cool completely before you touch it.
Tip: Put parchment paper under the house when you bake it. The melted candy might leak out and stick to your pan.
4. Pretzel Log Cabin Walls
Pretzel log cabin walls are rustic. You use long pretzel rods. You glue them flat against the side of the house. You stack them up from the bottom to the roof. It looks just like a log cabin in the woods.
This is a very easy way to cover up ugly or broken gingerbread walls. Food Network says to break the pretzels to fit around the door. Use a serrated knife to score the pretzel, then snap it. The salt on the pretzel adds a nice flavor to the sweet house.
Tip: Use chocolate frosting instead of royal icing for the logs. It looks like brown mud between the logs.
5. Marshmallow Snow Drifts
Marshmallow snow drifts are fluffy. You use mini marshmallows. You glue them in piles on the roof, the windowsills, and the base. It looks like deep snow has piled up against the house.
This is a very fast way to decorate. Craftsy says to use a wet paintbrush to dab a little water on the marshmallows. Then roll them in coarse sugar. This makes them sparkle like real snow.
Tip: Save a few marshmallows to make a snowman in the front yard.
6. Gummy Bear Pathway
A gummy bear pathway is colorful. You line up gummy bears side by side. You glue them to the base with icing. They make a path from the front door to the edge of the yard.
This is a fun idea for kids. They love the bright colors. Wilton says to use the same color gummy bears for a clean look. Or use a mix of colors for a fun party path. You can stand them up or lay them flat.
Tip: If the gummy bears do not stick, let the icing dry for a minute before you place them.
7. Chocolate Bar Bricks
Chocolate bar bricks look modern. You buy a few large chocolate bars. You break them into squares. You glue the squares to the walls of the house. It looks like a brick house made of chocolate.
This is a very easy idea. The chocolate squares are already the perfect size. Taste of Home says to use dark chocolate for a rich look. Or use white chocolate and paint it red with food coloring. The walls will look like brick.
Tip: Keep your hands cool when you handle the chocolate. Your body heat will melt it and leave fingerprints.
8. Royal Icing Cobblestones
Royal icing cobblestones are elegant. You pipe small round dots of icing on the ground around the house. You make them different sizes. Let them dry completely. They look like smooth grey cobblestones.
This is a hard project. It takes a steady hand and a lot of time. The Spruce Eats says to color the icing grey with a tiny bit of black food coloring. Once dry, you can paint them with edible dust for a real stone look.
Tip: Use a round piping tip. Do not use a star tip. The stones need to be smooth.
9. Coconut Snow Yard
A coconut snow yard is a classic. You spread a thin layer of royal icing on the base. You sprinkle shredded coconut over the wet icing. It looks like a blanket of fresh white snow.
This is the easiest way to make a winter scene. Food Network says to use sweetened shredded coconut. It tastes better than unsweetened. Press it down gently so it sticks to the icing.
Tip: If you do not like coconut, you can use powdered sugar instead. Just sift it over the wet icing.
10. Lifesaver Picket Fence
A Lifesaver picket fence is neat. You use stick pretzels for the fence posts. You glue them upright in a row. Then you thread Life Saver candies onto the pretzels. It looks like a wooden fence with holes.
This is a medium project. You need to be careful not to break the pretzels. Craftsy says to use the original Life Savers. They have the perfect size hole in the middle. You can use different colors to make a rainbow fence.
Tip: Put a dot of icing on the pretzel before you slide the candy on. This glues the candy in place.
11. Frosted Flake Trees
Frosted flake trees are easy to make. You make a cone shape out of royal icing on a piece of wax paper. You press Frosted Flakes into the icing. The flakes look like the leaves of an evergreen tree.
Let the tree dry completely. Then glue it to the base of your house. Wilton says to make trees of different sizes. A big tree next to the house and a few small trees in the back make a nice forest.
Tip: Dust the trees with powdered sugar after they dry. It looks like snow on the branches.
12. Gel Tile Patio
A gel tile patio is very bright. You buy fruit slice candies. You cut them into thin slices. You glue the slices flat on the base in front of the door. It looks like a colorful tile patio.
This is a hard project because the candies are sticky. You need a sharp knife to cut them. Taste of Home says to wipe your knife with vegetable oil. The oil stops the candy from sticking to the blade.
Tip: Use lime and orange slices to make a checkerboard pattern on the patio.
FAQ
What icing is best for decorating?
Royal icing is the best. It dries very hard and acts like glue. It holds heavy candy pieces in place. Do not use regular cake frosting. It stays soft and your decorations will slide off.
How do I make my gingerbread house shiny?
You can paint it with a mixture of corn syrup and water. Or you can spray it with an edible glaze spray. This gives the candy and icing a nice shine.
Can I use expired candy?
No. Do not use expired candy. The colors might be faded. The candy might be stale or soft. It will not stick to the icing well. Always use fresh candy for the best results.
How long does a decorated house last?
A decorated gingerbread house can last for weeks if kept in a cool, dry place. Do not eat it if it has been sitting out for more than a few days. It will get stale.
Conclusion
Decorating a gingerbread house is a fun way to celebrate the holidays. You do not have to just use gumdrops. You can make stained glass windows or a pretzel log cabin. You can use cereal for roof shingles or gummy bears for a pathway. The secret to a good design is using strong royal icing. Let your icing dry fully before you add more candy. These houses make great centerpieces for your table. They also make fun gifts for friends. Pick an idea from this list and gather your favorite candy. You will have a beautiful and sweet winter home in no time.
References
- Wilton, “Gingerbread House Decorating Tips”
- The Spruce Eats, “Stained Glass Candy Windows”
- Taste of Home, “Creative Candy Ideas”
- Food Network, “Holiday Dessert Displays”
- Craftsy, “Royal Icing Recipes”
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