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Home Β» Recipes Β» Christmas

How to Make a Graham Cracker Gingerbread House

Published: Dec 10, 2012 Last Updated: Dec 12, 2022 by Marye 1217 words. | About 7 minutes to read this article.

10 minutes mins
Learn how to make a graham cracker gingerbread house step by step and use this bright white, easy to make royal icing. It's the perfect glue to hold the houses together.
Jump to Recipe
Images of gingerbread houses and candy with a text overlay for Pinterest.

Learn how to make a graham cracker gingerbread house! Making gingerbread house with graham crackers is easy once you know these tips. I've hosted a gingerbread house party for over 25 years and have plenty of tips! Learn how to cut the crackers more easily, put them together so they stay together, and more! This post has been updated from the December 2012 version. 

Learn how to make graham cracker gingerbread houses - in this image two are ready to be decorated with red and green candy. Title image.

Our Family Tradition

About 24 years ago, on the first Friday of December I unknowingly created a tradition that was to haunt me for the rest of my life. I made houses out of graham crackers, bought candy, and invited the kids' friends over to decorate the "gingerbread" houses.

I served gingerbread, hot chocolate, and wine to the moms.

Since then I have only missed one party - and that was because of tremendous upheaval in my life.

I hosted the 1998 party while in active labor with Sean - giving birth to him at home about 4 hours later. I have hosted parties with 30 children and I have hosted parties where the only ones in attendance were my own kids. Each one has been amazingly fun, but most of all, each has created a special memory for the kids that attended.

A lot of those kids are parents now.

And it isn't just little kids either. My 35 year old still decorates a graham cracker gingerbread house with as much candy as she can get on it. I won't say that my other kids and grandkids have to fight her for the last of the red and green Dots... but I may have witnessed a few arm wrestling championships and food fights that rival the scene in Animal House.

Graham cracker gingerbread houses aren't really difficult but they do take some finesse and some practice.

It takes a little time to get the technique down and you will end up with a lot of cracker scraps and broken crackers that you can use for crumb crusts and other things. You might also want to save up.

This year my candy bill for 20 houses was close to $200.00. Now every time  I go to the grocery store, the bag boy we voted most likely to smoke weed gives me a thumbs up and a knowing smile.

Because really, unless you had a severe case of the munchies why else would you buy an entire cartload of candy?

candy to decorage a graham cracker gingerbread house

What You'll Need

  • Honey Maid Graham crackers - this is the only brand that I have found that still makes the rectangular crackers. Squares won't work.
  • Confectioner's sugar
  • Egg whites
  • Paper plates
  • Candy
  • Children of all ages

Number one with red circle around itHow to Cut the Graham Crackers to Shape

  • learn how to make gingerbread houses from graham crackers - here are the images for cutting the crackers.You will need five rectangular graham crackers for each house. One rectangle for each of the ends, one rectangle cut into two squares for the sides, and two rectangles with the about 1 inch cut from the bottoms for the roof. Cutting the graham crackers can be a bit stressful and the break pretty easily.
  • If you leave the graham crackers out for a few hours and it's humid they will soften up and are easier to cut. You can also put them in a single layer on a cookie sheet in a cold oven and put a bowl of steaming water in with them so the steam softens them - check often! You don't want them to get too soft.
  • Be sure you get a couple of extra boxes just in case. And now is a great time for a cranberry Moscow Mule or three - especially if you're a perfectionist.
  • A wood cutting board is the best surface for cutting.
  • Use a sharp knife and cut the top end of each rectangle into a point. It doesn't need to be perfect.
  • Cut straight down. If you use a sawing motion the graham crackers are more likely to break.
  • Once you have two pointed rectangles, set them aside with two rectangles cut in half to make squares.Continue on until you have all of the pieces cut and stacked together.

white number 2 in a red circle

Make the Royal Icing

Keep the royal icing covered with a damp paper towel once it's made to keep it from drying out. Recipe is at the bottom of this page.

number three in a red circle

How to Assemble

Smear a thick bead of icing down one side of the pointed piece. Don't worry about being messy! This will be on the inside. The royal icing sets up fast so don't wait too long before going on to the next step. Gently press a square into it and hold it for a couple of seconds. Smear another bead of icing down the other side. Press a square into place. Spread beads of icing on either side of the other pointed graham cracker. Gently push it on to the open end of the house.

assembling a gingerbread house made from graham crackers - four images show each step.


Set aside to let dry while you make the other houses. It works best for them to be stable before adding the roof.

Adding the Roof

Finished graham cracker gingerbread house
  • Smear icing on 3 sides of the square.
  • Press it on the angles side of the tall graham cracker. Hold for a few seconds.
  • Repeat with the last square.
  • Using icing fill in any cracks or weak areas.
  • Let stand at room temperature overnight.
A finished gingerbread house from graham crackers is waiting to be decoraged with plenty of candy!

White number 4 in a red circle

Decorate !

Now comes the fun part! Decorating those cute graham cracker houses! You'll need to handle them gently and remind the younger kids to be careful - they collapse easily.

graham cracker gingerbread house party with several houses waiting to be decorated with candy
  • Set out the candy in pretty dishes, muffin pans, or whatever holds it and makes it easily accessible. Someday, I'm going to set everything out in vintage teacups and do a gingerbread house party tea!
  • You'll probably need to make more Royal Icing. Keep it covered with a damp paper towel when not in use so it doesn't dry out.
  • Put a glob of  royal icing "glue " on each plate.
  • Show the kids how to add candy to their graham cracker houses using the icing as glue. Caution them to be gentle!

That's it. Let them decorate to their hearts' content and be sure to "ooooh" and "ahhhhh" over the results. Try not to coach them but be there to help if needed. If you happen to have red hots left over (I always do) consider making the red hots candy apple pie or spiced apple rings.!

Most of all - take lots of pictures! This is such a wonderful way to make special memories.

A gingerbread house from graham crackers has been decorated with colorful candy and is waiting to be judged...or eaten.

πŸ“– Recipe

Closeup of two gingerbread houses ready to be decorated.
4.70 from 26 votes

Royal Icing for Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

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Learn how to make a graham cracker gingerbread house step by step and use this bright white, easy to make royal icing. It's the perfect glue to hold the houses together.
Course Dessert - Frosting
Cuisine Holiday
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings:10
Calories:96
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Stand mixer
  • rubber spatula

Ingredients

  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2 egg whites, , room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • pinch of cream of tartar

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Rinse your mixing bowl with lemon juice or white vinegar.
  • Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed until they are foamy.
  • Add the sugar and lemon juice.
  • Beat at high speed until thick and fluffy.
  • You may need to add a little water if it is too stiff or a little sugar if it is too thin. It should have the texture of old fashioned paste.

Notes

See the full video on YouTube
For color add a few drops of food color while whipping.
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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      Love it? Give it 5 stars!




    1. Alyssa

      December 14, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      How many batches of frosting would you suggest for 15 kids?

      Reply
      • Marye

        December 15, 2020 at 11:01 am

        Probably 2 to 3.

        Reply
    2. Jana

      November 29, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      These are great! How many days in advance do you make the houses? I

      Reply
      • Marye

        November 30, 2020 at 12:31 pm

        About 12 hours at most or they get soft

        Reply
    3. Erica sanford

      November 04, 2019 at 10:18 am

      Yes, I'm curious which candies you used.tradionsl or unique? I have tried this twice.love the time and excitement.thank you for any feedbback

      Reply
      • Marye

        November 04, 2019 at 10:08 pm

        I go to the candy store and pick up whatever seems interesting. It's different every year!

        Reply
    4. Suzanne

      December 21, 2018 at 8:51 am

      4 stars
      I had greater success with my houses by putting the frosting on the squares (not the triangular roof pieces) and then being sure the triangular pieces are on the INSIDE so the roof is the exact same as the triangles that support it. The houses are more structurally sound this way. The photos shown are not made this way but the opposite! They are more likely to collapse and rely on the frosting more to stay together. Otherwise, great instructions. My graham crackers cut quite easily after time in the oven w some steaming water!

      Reply
      • Meg

        December 20, 2020 at 9:35 pm

        5 stars
        I added just a little extra (approx 1-2T) sugar to firm it up a bit, then made the houses as described above. I only had time to let it dry for 2 hours before letting my kiddos decorate (I clearly didn't read the directions to plan ahead). . . and they turned out great. Two hours was sufficient for the frosting to harden and the houses withstood two 6 yr olds pushing candies all over them. So, just know you can make these last minute if you're in a pinch!

        Reply
    5. Tara Bevillard

      December 12, 2018 at 7:04 am

      Is the royal icing edible?

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 14, 2018 at 3:42 pm

        yes

        Reply
    6. Laura Edge

      October 29, 2018 at 4:42 pm

      How far ahead can you make the royal icing and what is the best way to store it? I want to use your cute idea for a teen library program.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 08, 2018 at 9:42 pm

        You can make it ahead by a few days and store it in the fridge with a damp paper towel over the top.

        Reply
    7. Taylor Kiser

      October 14, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      Gingerbread houses are such a fun tradition! Love this idea to use graham crackers!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        October 18, 2016 at 8:25 am

        Thanks Taylor... we've had lots of fun with it.

        Reply
    8. allie

      October 14, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Love the simplicity Marye!!! Takes the stress out of holiday gingerbread houses for sure. These are adorable.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        October 18, 2016 at 8:29 am

        Thanks so much, Allie!

        Reply
    9. Jerry

      December 05, 2015 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      Simple fun for the whole family! I'll definitely do this if I can get all the grandkids to visit. (We'd have a LOT of gingerbread houses.)

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 06, 2015 at 9:43 pm

        It really is so much fun!

        Reply
    10. Karen @ The Food Charlatan

      December 04, 2015 at 4:20 am

      4 HOURS LATER??? Oh man. That is some serious gingerbread dedication.These are so fun!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 06, 2015 at 9:35 pm

        LOL! Yeah well, homebirth is way different. Thanks!

        Reply
    11. Dorothy

      December 03, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      How many houses can you make with one batch of icing? I'm trying to figure out how much icing to make for 30 houses.

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:20 pm

        Well between the houses and the decorations I usually make 3 batches of 15. Probably 2 batches for putting them together

        Reply
      • Karen Rogers

        December 05, 2015 at 2:07 pm

        I did these houses with my students. I used store bought icing in the tubs. You have to add 6-7 tablespoons of icing sugar per tub to thicken the icing. We made these houses in one day but the more the students handled the icing and the longer it took the icing got too warm and the houses started falling apart and collapsing. ( I live in California so we joked that the earthquake made the houses lean and roofs cave in.LOL). After reading a lot of posts I think I will have the students construct the houses one day and decorate them the next day. I hope a day of the icing drying on the houses we will have fewer collapsing houses!

        Reply
        • Marye Audet

          December 06, 2015 at 9:44 pm

          that kind of icing really doesn't work... you need royal icing to glue them together...

    12. Erin

      December 03, 2015 at 3:49 pm

      I am still crying over the checkout boy most likely to smoke pot. πŸ™‚ I LOVE to host kids over for food parties! They always have so much fun. I usually do cookie decorating but this year I might have to make some crazy gingerbread houses with the gang!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:21 pm

        LOL! It's a great way to keep them busy

        Reply
    13. Joy @ Joy Love Food

      December 03, 2015 at 2:29 pm

      What a fun tradition, these houses are so cute, my kids would love them, we'll have to give it try!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:21 pm

        You should!

        Reply
    14. Kristen

      December 03, 2015 at 9:35 am

      This kind of "gingerbread" house is just my speed. I have tried the real, homemade kind and it's just too much pressure. You are so brave to have hosted to many house raising parties over the years. I admire your courage πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:22 pm

        LOL! Im not sure courage would be the word I'd use

        Reply
    15. Urvashee

      December 03, 2015 at 8:50 am

      What a fun activity to do with kids! I have done this before with fewer kids and using kits. Will have to try it with graham crackers.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:23 pm

        It's a lot of fun!

        Reply
    16. Christie

      December 03, 2015 at 7:32 am

      What an adorable idea for a party. My daughter is already asking to make a gingerbread house.

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 03, 2015 at 4:23 pm

        We do it the first Saturday of December every single year.

        Reply
    17. Brittany

      December 12, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      Do you have to let it sit overnight? Will the project fail if it is constructed and decorated in the same day? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        December 12, 2014 at 6:06 pm

        It needs to set as long as possible so that the frosting "glue" is completely dry.

        Reply
    18. Anita

      November 10, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      That gingerbread house party looks amazing! I can't believe how well set up it was and it must have been great to see everyone's different houses! I'll have to do something like that with my kids!

      Reply
    19. RenΓ©e J. (RJ Flamingo)

      November 10, 2014 at 1:24 pm

      What a great idea! I think the only thing holding me back from making gingerbread houses, all these years, was having to make the actual gingerbread. Graham crackers? Inspired! And thanks for the icing recipe, too!

      Reply
    20. Marnie

      November 09, 2014 at 11:07 am

      we have done these annually for more years than I'm willing to admit. (LOL). It is a family tradition. There is a secret to cutting the graham crackers that makes life so much easier. Place a rack (the kind you put your cookies on to cool) over a skillet of simmering water. Put the crackers on the rack and steam them till they are soft enough to cut. You'll need to flip them a time or two. Then, cut them with scissors. Yep, good old scissors. We even put chimneys on ours. You still might break one or two, but, with practice, you will be surprised how little breakage there is. The crackers will become hard and crisp again once they cool. Have fun!

      Reply
      • Marye Audet

        November 10, 2014 at 5:29 am

        Yep. I did it the first time in 1992! It's fun tho!

        Reply

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