Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses are so much fun to make and decorate! Building these will become a new holiday tradition for your whole family.
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ These cute little houses are much easier to make than their gingerbread counterparts.
✔️ You don't have to worry about spending a lot of time in the kitchen because you can grab all these ingredients at your local grocery store there's no need to make homemade cookies!
✔️ And, it's so much cheaper than buying a pre-made gingerbread house kit. It's a fun activity that kids (big and small) will enjoy!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- graham crackers
- vanilla frosting
- cream of tartar
- assorted holiday sprinkles
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.
- Add vanilla frosting to a medium-sized bowl. Mix 4 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar into frosting until well blended. Scoop frosting into a zip lock bag cut the corner off, or place in a pipping bag fitting with a small tip.
- Place one full graham cracker onto the cutting board. Using a serrated knife, sawing back and forth, cut top half of the graham cracker at a 45 degree and then cut the other half of the top at a 45-degree angle to create a point.
- Repeat this step with the other full graham cracker.
- Next, carefully cut the other two full graham crackers in half using a serrated knife.
- To assemble your gingerbread house, pipe a small row of frosting on the edge of two of the halves of a graham cracker. With a roof cut piece on a flat surface, gently place the frosted pieces onto the edge of the roof cut piece. Hold in place for a couple of minutes until secure. Then pipe frosting onto the edges of wall pieces. Gently but firmly place the second roof piece onto the frosting to form the four walls of your gingerbread house.
- Turn the gingerbread house upright and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Once the gingerbread house has had a few minutes to set, you can apply the roof. Pipe frosting along the edges of angled pieces and place the last two halves onto the top of the gingerbread house to your roof.
- Allow to set for at least 10 minutes.
- Using additional frosting as needed, and decorate your gingerbread house as desired!
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Piping bag or Ziploc bag
- Sharp serrated knife
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FAQ's
What is the best glue for graham cracker houses?
Most recipes using royal icing. With this recipe, we are making royal frosting using a hack. It's so much easier!
What kind of graham crackers do you use for gingerbread houses?
You can use your favorite brand. I used Honey Maid Graham Crackers but the store brand will also work.
How many whole graham crackers does it take to build a gingerbread house?
You will need four graham crackers for each one of these little graham cracker houses. But give yourself some extras just in case they crack.
Test kitchen tips
- When you are cutting the graham crackers, make sure that you use a gentle sawing motion to make the cut.
- You need rectangular graham crackers instead of square, so check the box to make sure you are getting the correct shape.
- If you leave the graham crackers out of the package for a couple of hours, this will allow them to soften just a little and make cutting easier.
- I've found that it's easier to cut all the graham crackers at one time, and then line the pieces of graham cracker up. This really helps to make things easier when you are building these with little kids.
- While you are building your houses, keep the Royal icing covered with a damp paper towel so that it doesn't dry out and start to harden.
- For easy clean up, build your houses on top of a piece of aluminum foil or a disposable plate.
- I always like to make extra icing so that we have enough to decorate the whole house, along with gluing them together.
Variations
- Instead of using regular graham crackers you can use chocolate graham crackers for a little different look.
- Decorate the house with your favorite candy. My favorite candy decorations to use are gum drops, Tootsie rolls, candy canes, Lifesavers, Skittles, and Mike and ikes.
- Using these for decorations? Create a decorative scene by adding some Sugar Cone Christmas Trees. They will look great around your house.
Storage
Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses can be consumed within a few hours of making or if using as a decoration sit at room temperature for several weeks.
Related recipes
- Christmas Muddy Buddies is a great snack for make holiday season. Your family will love the combination of cereal, melted chocolate, and festive toppings.
- Add a little cheer to your holiday party with these homemade Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats! They are sure to be a hit! Decorate them with candy eyes and pretzels for antlers.
- No Christmas cookie tray is complete without these Ritz Cracker Cookies! These no-bake treats are perfect for wintertime snacking.
- Want something festive to snack on while ou getting this fun activity with your family? This Christmas Charcuterie Board is simple to put together, and the kids will love to snack on it while they are busy.
- Kids love to sip on a warm and comforting cup of this Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate while they are building their own graham cracker houses. Plus, the slow cooker makes a large batch, so you don't have to worry about making multiple cups.
- Making gingerbread houses can require a lot of patience especially if you are a perfectionist. Give the adults one of these Golden Cadilaic Drinks to sip on during all the craziness of this Christmas tradition. They will thank you!
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Graham Crackers Gingerbread House
Easy to make Gingerbread Houses, without all the fussy baking!
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Servings: 1 house
Calories: 500kcal
Ingredients
- 14.4 ounce box Graham Crackers 4 large graham crackers per gingerbread house
- 16 ounce can vanilla frosting
- 4 tablespoons cream of tartar
- assortment of sprinkles for decorating. such as candies and Christmas colored sprinkles
Instructions
- Add vanilla frosting to a medium-sized bowl. Mix 4 tablespoons of Cream of Tartar into frosting until well blended. Scoop frosting into a zip lock bag cut the corner off, or place in a pipping bag fitting with a small tip.
- Place one full graham cracker onto the cutting board. Using a serrated knife, sawing back and forth, cut top half of the graham cracker at a 45 degree and then cut the other half of the top at a 45-degree angle to create a point.
- Repeat this step with the other full graham cracker.
- Next, carefully cut the other two full graham crackers in half using a serrated knife.
- To assemble your gingerbread house, pipe a small row of frosting on the edge of two of the halves of a graham cracker. With a roof cut piece on a flat surface, gently place the frosted pieces onto the edge of the roof cut piece. Hold in place for a couple of minutes until secure. Then pipe frosting onto the edges of wall pieces. Gently but firmly place the second roof piece onto the frosting to form the four walls of your gingerbread house.
- Turn the gingerbread house upright and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Once the gingerbread house has had a few minutes to set, you can apply the roof. Pipe frosting along the edges of angled pieces and place the last two halves onto the top of the gingerbread house to your roof. Allow to set for at least 10 minutes.
- Using additional frosting as needed, and decorate your gingerbread house as desired.
Notes
Be sure the gingerbread house frosting is set before you begin decorating.
Placing gingerbread house in the refrigerator or cool place will help it set or leaving at room temperature overnight.
Royal frosting can be used in place of store-bought frosting.
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Nutrition
Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 403g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 2709mg | Potassium: 9760mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 113g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 2mg
Maureen says
This has got to be the easiest gingerbread house to make. It certainly makes having a winter wonderland around for the kids a welcome treat. No talent required. Wonderful weekend project.
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you give it a try Maureen!! Happy Holidays and thanks for all of your support!
MaryB says
I see fun times ahead for the kiddies with this easy recipe. What a fun and doable idea.
Bowl Me Over says
These are SO much easier than the traditional gingerbread house! Thanks Mary, and happy holidays to you!
Michelle Gosser says
This looks way easier than the store bought kits! The instructions are simple and easy, another great project for the kiddos!
Bowl Me Over says
You know it Michelle, it's how I roll 😂 I appreciate your support! Have a wonderful holiday season!
Bobette Larsen says
What a nice simple way to make such a cute gingerbread house. My great granddaughters live too far away. And my third great grandson is only 5 months. Maybe next year. Won't that be fun. Thank you.
Bowl Me Over says
Fun, fun, fun - definitely next year, Bobette! Happy Holidays to you!
Cat stevens says
I am an old lady that has Never made a Gingerbread House. This recipe is easy enough for family to do together. I always thought way to hard and i don't have talent.
Bowl Me Over says
You got this Cathie! These are so easy, you just need a little imagination! Have fun with it!!
Carol says
I use to make these with my Kindergarten class when I was a teacher. The class always had so much fun creating and decorating theirs. There was a lot of finger licking in the "building" process.
Bowl Me Over says
I bet there was 😋 who could resist? And a lot of candy sneaking too, LOL! Happy Holidays Carol!
kesha says
This is such a fun idea! I am going to make these with my grandson this weekend! He will have so much fun!
Bowl Me Over says
Oh good, I can't wait to see your pictures Kesha!! Be sure to email them to me, or tag me on social medial #bowlmeover. Thanks so much for all of your support and have a wonderful holiday season!!!