Gingerbread houses are a fun (and delicious) tradition that can be a great excuse to get your creative juices flowing, bring your family together, or host a house-building party. You don’t have to be an expert to build a house that you might be proud to display on your dining table or mantel. There are so many places that you can look for patterns, recipes, or tutorials around the web. A quick search on Google might bring hundreds of options. All you need to get started is a block of time for a little planning, another chunk of time for constructing your house, and possibly a trip to the store for some supplies. Here are some ingredients to look for.

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Pre-Building Materials

• cardboard or cardstock (manilla folder)
• pencil
• scissors
• mixing bowl
• rolling pin
• piping bag (if possible)

Construction Materials (check your recipe)

• flour
• spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves
• honey, molasses, or corn syrup
• sugar
• eggs
• butter
• salt
• baking powder

Cement

• egg whites
• confectioner’s sugar
• food coloring (optional)

Decorations

• sprinkles
• gumdrops
• m&ms
• red hots
• jelly beans
• marshmallows
• pretzels
• coconut (snow)
• chocolate kisses
• lollipops
• ice cream cones (trees)
• wafer cookies
• fruit leather
• candy canes
• nuts
• graham crackers

Have you made a gingerbread house before?  What decorations are your favorite?  What style do you like best?  What are your tips and tricks for building a gingerbread house?