Mini Gingerbread Houses with Royal Icing & Candies

These adorable Mini Gingerbread Houses are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season! Made with homemade gingerbread and decorated with royal icing and colorful candies, these little houses are perfect for a holiday treat or as gifts. They’re fun to make, and even more fun to eat!

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Houses:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 large egg whites (or 2 teaspoons meringue powder)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Water (as needed for consistency)

For the Decorations:

• Colorful candies (M&Ms, gumdrops, candy canes, etc.)
• Sprinkles (for snowy effects)
• Shredded coconut (optional for snow)
• Edible glitter (optional for sparkle)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Gingerbread Dough

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Wet Ingredients:
   Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour until it reaches a firm, rollable consistency.
6. Roll Out the Dough:
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread house template (or freehand) to cut out the pieces for the walls, roof, and base of your mini houses.
   • Typical template for a mini house:
     • 2 pieces for the walls
     • 2 pieces for the roof
     • 1 piece for the base (optional)
7. Bake the Gingerbread Pieces:
   Place the dough pieces onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Allow them to cool completely before assembling.

Step 2: Make the Royal Icing

1. Prepare the Icing:
   In a large bowl, beat the egg whites (or meringue powder and water) until soft peaks form. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating continuously until the icing is stiff and glossy. Add lemon juice to help with stability.
2. Adjust Consistency:
   If the icing is too stiff, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it’s pipeable but holds its shape. If it’s too runny, add more powdered sugar until it thickens.
3. Color the Icing:
   If you’d like, divide the royal icing into small bowls and color them with food coloring for extra festive fun.

Step 3: Assemble the Mini Gingerbread Houses

1. Prepare the Base:
   Place the base of the gingerbread house on a clean surface or plate. If you want your house to look like it’s sitting on snow, you can spread a little shredded coconut or powdered sugar on the base before assembly.
2. Attach the Walls:
   Using the royal icing, pipe a generous amount along the edges of the walls, and press them into place to form the shape of the house. Hold them in place for a few seconds to make sure they stick. Let the walls dry for about 10-15 minutes before adding the roof.
3. Attach the Roof:
   Pipe icing on the top edges of the walls, then carefully attach the roof pieces. You may need to hold them in place for a few moments while the icing sets.
4. Let Dry:
   Allow the house to dry completely (about 30 minutes to 1 hour) before decorating to ensure stability.

Step 4: Decorate the Gingerbread Houses

1. Pipe Royal Icing Details:
   Use the royal icing to add decorative touches like windows, doors, and icicles along the roofline. You can pipe lines around the base of the house for a snowy look.
2. Add Candies and Decorations:
   Decorate the house with your favorite candies! Some ideas include:
   • M&Ms or gumdrops for roof shingles or accents.
   • Candy canes for door frames or the house’s frame.
   • Sprinkles or edible glitter for a snowy effect.
   • Shredded coconut for the roof or ground to mimic snow.
3. Optional Accents:
   You can add little details like mini marshmallows for snow piles, mini chocolate chips for windows, or candy wreaths for extra festive charm.

Step 5: Let Dry and Serve

1. Dry Completely:
   Allow the royal icing to set and dry completely before moving or serving the gingerbread houses. This could take a couple of hours.
2. Display or Gift:
   These mini gingerbread houses make adorable holiday centerpieces, edible gifts, or party favors. You can also make a few mini houses and create a tiny gingerbread village!

Tips for Success:

• Use Templates: If you’re not comfortable freehanding your gingerbread house pieces, use printable templates available online for perfect shapes.
• Let Icing Dry Between Steps: Be sure to allow time for the royal icing to set between each stage of assembly and decorating to prevent the house from collapsing.
• Customization: Get creative with your candy choices and icing colors to make each house unique!

These Mini Gingerbread Houses with Royal Icing & Candies are sure to bring holiday cheer to your home. Whether you’re baking with kids, giving them as gifts, or simply enjoying the process yourself, these little gingerbread houses are a festive and delicious treat!