No-Bake Gingerbread House

As pretty as they are, I've always thought gingerbread houses were one of those fairy tale parts of the holidays reserved for people with too much time on their hands. Fortunately, for the rest of us, there is hope. 

Here's a no-bake gingerbread house so goody goody gumdrops, it might have even fooled fair Hansel and Gretel. 

Even better, you don't need a paycheck and a week's worth of time to do it.   

To start, place a paper mache house on scrap paper, separating top from bottom, then coat with brown spray paint. While it dries, eat some gingerbread, just for effect.    

Next, mix up a batch of royal icing, grab a piping bag, then pipe around the outsides of all the windows and doors.

Now dip a spatula or butter knife into the icing and spread a layer on the roof about ¼"-thick. 

For the last step, press candy pieces like peppermints and gumdrops into icing as desired. If it starts to harden, add another layer.   

And when it's all done, when the fairy tale's complete and your kids are looking up at you with adoration in their eyes, make sure you congratulate yourself on a job well done...  

...and a lot of time saved doing it!  

Comments

[Loretta Fontaine (APPLESandRUBIES)]

Eddie and Jaithan- So sweet! Love your adorable house!

Bringing back happy memories of when I'd get the day off from work at the architecture firm I used to worked at so I could bake a gingerbread concoction to enter in a charity event. Sadly, the biggest firm in town always won, but I did have fun (and was PAID!)

One year I did the Chrysler building!

Sweet Holidays!

Loretta

[Tara]

This year we made graham cracker houses. :) I like your idea a lot better. Mine were only one story houses, and though they are cute and candy covered, gingerbread houses should have two stories.

[Eyeliner & Wallpaper]

Lovely. You are so creative!
Have a great weekend!

xo
Tiffany

[Ann]

Ok you two are the craft kings of the East Coast. So jealous...even I don't think I could do this...I will admire from afar and when you sell it...I will buy it because I love watching you do it and for me....I would have broken the house by now. Simply gorgeous.

[Johanna]

Hello Eddie,

Thanks for your wonderful blog.

I'm just wondering if you have any Christmas wrapping ideas that you could share with us?

Wish you a wonderful holiday.

Greatings from Sweden!

[victoria]

Gingerbread house forever! Yes! Always think of Hansel and Gretel!!!
happy holidays to you two!

I have my first give away! Wanna look?

[Liz Morten]

I made a gingerbread house from scratch in High School. You are probably cannot remember the old Time Life Book series with recipes from different countries. It was from The Cooking of Germany. I was so proud of my Ginger Bread house, and wish I could find the picture I took of it, complete with candles. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Best,
Liz

[Design Elements]

so pretty!

[Joanny]

that is a really nice art project.... that actually works with some changes here and there for a lot of different occasions, -it is one of those simple but brilliant light bulb ideas like inviting the paper clip.
Sweet,
joanny

[Design Love]

You make me smile Mr.E!

Cindy
xo

[El]

You guys are too funny. Being a lover of baking, I'd have to opt for the full effect -but this definitely sets the mood!

[Leigha]

Lovely as always!

[Michael - Innkeeper]

i have always, always wanted to make a gingerbread house, but never have. when i worked in philly the ritz-carlton always had a life size gingerbread house ... amazing!

as always, love your ideas. maybe i will need to add make a gingerbread house to my to-do list! :)

[Acquired Objects]

That is too funny!

[quintessence]

What a great idea!! I once did a gingerbread daughter for one of my daughters and had to make 15 - wish I'd known about this!!

[Tonia]

I've always thought that people that created gingerbread houses had wayyyyyyy to much time. I love looking at them {eating too}, but even with this kit I'll leave it to someone else to put it together. :)

[Brandi]

Eating gingerbread just for effect, hilarious! I haven't made a gingerbread house since I was 8 but it sure would be fun!

[Charlotta]

Love it Eddie! Looks like you're having fun. :)

In Sweden there is a huge tradition of ginger biscuit houses - we make them before Christmas and then they get eaten on Boxing Day. It is with great anticipation the children bring out a small hammer to demolish the house.. then the feast begins! :)

Here in Australia they just melt away in the heat of Summer.. We're usually at the height of the hot season around Christmas (not this year for some reason..) and it just attracts all sorts of icky insects to have a real gingerbread house on display.

I love your papier mache version and it would bring back fond memories of me as a young architect's student back at uni in London.. Built many (!) models of houses for my professors!

Hugs from Summer Wonderland!

x Charlotta

[Rene'@bargainhoot]

My son and I do Gingerbread houses every year!! Thank you for sharing this inspiration, we'll have to try the no bake version. Very cute tablescape!!

[Pat Smith]

No bake faux is the way to go. I used your idea of setting the pieces of the real gingerbread house flat. Really messy if you are working with kids!

[Katie]

Love this! When I was a kid my Dad actually made a pattern for our annual gingerbread house that was basically a mini version of our real house. My Mom would mix, roll and bake it and Dad would construct it then me and my siblings would decorate it. Those days are long gone and I think this is the perfect idea for those of us who love the idea of a gingerbread house but don't have the time or the genius parents close by to assist.
Warm Holiday Wishes...
Katie

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Beautiful, Eddie! You do such great stuff. I had to go back & catch up on your outdoor decorating with all those lush swags of greenery. You are one busy guy! Hope you both have a wonderfully Merry Christmas!! xoxo,Rhoda
PS. Can't wait to see more of your new/old home!

[Mona Thompson]

So pretty, and I'm for anything that saves time. Your so smart!!!

[pretty pink tulips]

As the mom of 2 little elves, this is the perfect gingerbread house. No need to worry about little hands near the oven! And, I'm pretty sure it would fool even my guys. They just want the gum drops!
xoxo Elizabeth

[Carol@SofasandSage]

My kids make them every year with my sister (thank heavens for my sister!) -- she bakes every single piece for about 10 houses. Yikes! I'm on board with your method :)

[Sara Jane]

How cute! I've always been too afraid to try making a gingerbread house but this looks like something even I could make.

[Katie Gallimore]

What an awesome idea! I LOVE it...we have some minature houses this year that the kids are going to decorate!
XOXO
Katie

[Kate from Party Resources]

Love it (of course)! Look forward to seeing you both next week. xx

[Karen Evans]

Brilliant! I have spent many frustrating hours trying to create a gingerbread house with my children only to find that I was embarrassed to display the train wreck. Since we never ate them anyway, I'll have to try your method!

[Patti Davis]

"eat some gingerbread, just for effect" I love it!! Soo cute! xoxox

[Karena]

Eddie you are just Genius!! I would never have thought of this wonderful way to a Gingerbread House!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

[Gretchen O]

Now THAT is my kind of gingerbread house! I was thinking today, "I should make gingerbread houses"...and then decided against it...now it just might happen!

--Gretchen O.

[Judy]

What a neat idea Eddie! We are having our annual Christmas at the lake this coming weekend and my sister is bringing stuff for all the kids to make gingerbread houses, lots messier than this I'm sure but it will keep those little fingers busy!

Merry Christmas to you and Jaithan!
Judy

[Hamptontoes]

I'm sitting here with my mouth wide open...what can't you do? You decorate gingerbread houses too? Love it!! I'm actually having an all girls holiday cookie decorating playdate next Tuesday for my daughter's class and we are going to decorate a gingerbread house for the fun of it!

[abby jenkins]

OMG Eddie that reminds me of the time we made all those decorated cookies for Christmas gifts, talk about free time. What happened to our lives that we are too busy to get together! Let's make it happen, until then I will be making shortribs and dreaming of gingerbread.
XO

[sandy@oohlafroufrou]

LOVE it! Yes, the real things are charming as all get out but wayyyy to time consuming for my schedule now! This is a great solution, Mr. Fab Ross! Hope you're having a lovely holiday season ;)

[Tracy]

one of my favorite compound words this time of year: "nobake"

[Amanda]

Dear Eddie Ross - is there anything you CAN'T do? Seriously. You are so talented! I hope you guys are having a good time settling into your new home and have a beautiful Christmas. Much love, Amanda.

[Stitchfork]

Very cute! But the part I like best - your tip to eat some gingerbread for effect!
xo Cathy

[elz]

What a clever way to get the effect with only half the work. I love it! I always thought it was such a shame to make all that gingerbread and it just goes to waste.

[Lisa Porter]

Eddie,
Thank you, thank you! You know, I picked up a couple of glittery little paper mache churches at TJMax the other day. Love them. Then went next door to Michaels and saw undecorated paper mache items. I think with your wonderful tutorial here I can now make a "gingerbread" village & maybe another church too!
One more thing...when I think of you I think about Milk Glass. My great aunt's was packed away for years. You inspred me to un-pack it and USE it! Would love for you...if you have a minute...to stop by & see it at, "It Takes A Day."
So Eddie, in closing, I just want to wish you & Jaithan a very Merry Christmas. I hope you two make time to go outside & play like children, then put your feet up by a roaring fire, eat & drink & stay well, & be proud of all you have done this year to inspire & encourage all of us.
Fondly,
Lisa

[Privet and Holly]

I love the advice
to "eat some gingerbread,
just for effect!" as
it's the gingerbread
that makes the whole
project hard to get off
the ground {or the baking
sheet} and it's the
decorating that is the
FUN in the whole project.
Great shortcuts and you
do it with such aplomb!
Merry Monday,
xx Suzanne

[patti]

Quite clever....Yeas ago I made Gingerbread houses with 150 middle school students in my Home and Career Skills classes and over the weekend the mice in our school had a "field day" munching on them - lesson learned!! That was the last time I have made them - I like your idea and will "file it away" - Happy Holidays!

[Kate]

So cute! Makes me want to get crafty in the kitchen for the holidays this weekend!

[Paula]

I love this! I can't wait until my mom passes on her Dec. WD issue to me so that I can pour over your photos.

[Jürgen]

What a beautiful chocolate house. It gives me great ideas for Christmas.
Thank you for this post regards jürgen

[traci zeller designs]

Too cute!! We're lucky - our club hosts a gingerbread house making party, one for kids ... and one that is adults only! It's easy because they've already baked the gingerbread, and they have all the materials out. This was the first year we took my twin boys, and they had a BLAST. Of course, I think they ate more candy than they put on the house ...

[Jessica at Lavender and Lilies]

Great idea!

[Delores]

Now this is a gingerbread house I can do! All those years of collapsing houses, frosting everywhere, it truly is a fantasy holiday event. You made it doable.

[Sara]

Brilliant! Why would you want to bake real gingerbread if you can't even really eat it? This is so much better...