Recipes Food and Cooking

Recipes Food and Cooking

  • Home
  • Recipes Index
  • Cooking Tips
  • Contact
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy

Halloween Gingerbread House

October 25, 2013 by Mary Ellen 45 Comments

Gingerbread recipe that I have used for over 20 years is what I used to make this Halloween Gingerbread House.
halloween gingerbread house recipe

Halloween Gingerbread House

I love making Halloween gingerbread houses, they don’t have to be perfect. I’m a little OCD when it comes to any other holiday I might make one for. Halloween the imperfections just add to the charm. I don’t cut the windows straight and I don’t even get the walls perfectly square.

I just let it happen. I didn’t even have a plan when I started and I only bought 3 bags of candy. I usually get 20 it seems or even more.

halloween gingerbread house recipe

Close Up of Halloween Gingerbread House

See the cute little trees? So perfect for a Halloween House. However do not cut the gingerbread into 8 inch strips for these trees 5 – 6 inches will do or you will end up with something big enough to hang on the wall. Ask me how I know this? Because I did it and I may get brave enough to show it to you because it sure is funny! I realized how out of control it was when I started making the smaller ones. Sure glad I did however! I think they are darling.

halloween gingerbread house recipe

I used Spice Flavored Pumpkin Marshmallows cut in half for the roof.

Directions for the trees are here. I used the pattern for the house I found here.

Tips for Making a Gingerbread House.
Once my dough is made I don’t use any additional flour to roll it out. The oil in the dough makes it easy to roll out and it doesn’t stick on me. If it starts to pull up a little of the dough when you are rolling it, I spray my rolling pin with a little cooking spray and wipe with a paper towel.

Refrigerate you dough after you cut the pieces, but before you bake it. It slows down the spreading of the dough when it bakes.

When it comes out of the oven, lay your pattern pieces back on top of the pieces and if you have a lot of spread, recut those edges. You will have an easier time putting it together if you do this.

I usually make my front and back house pieces a tad thicker than the outside walls and roof. They will be supporting the weight of the roof. If the area is really big that spans the structure sometimes I make a third piece and use it inside as roof support. It really depends on what I am making, most houses won’t need this. (I made a huge structure once that we put 10 lbs. of chocolate on the roof, it needed 3 additional supports.)

When I start assembling I usually use soup cans as supports for my walls until they dry. Don’t forget to take them out before putting on the roof. When I put the roof up I find a can or several to prop up the roof from the bottom so it doesn’t shift.

When you make your royal icing make sure to keep it covered with a damp cloth to prevent it drying out. Store any extra in the refrigerator. Rewhip if necessary. Lasts a long time in the refrigerator.

You can make a lot of decorations yourself using royal icing. For instance if you draw a spider web, put a piece of wax paper on top and make it using your royal icing. Need 2 or more, move your pattern over and repeat. Sprinkle with sprinkles if desired while still wet.

If you want black frosting buy a paste food coloring (lots) and add a few tablespoons of sifted cocoa to it.
If you are doing this with the kids, I would assemble it first and have them come in at the decorating point. The younger they are, they loose interest fast. If you are OCD bake them a small house they can do themselves while you do the big one.

The roof on this house is cut pumpkin spice marshmallows that I had left over from another fall recipe for Oatmeal Pumpkin Cups I did a few weeks ago.

Have fun!

Save Print
Halloween Gingerbread House
Author: Mary Ellen
Prep time:  30 mins
Cook time:  30 mins
Total time:  1 hour
Serves: 1 gingerbread house
 
Gingerbread recipe that I have used for over 20 years is what I used to make this Halloween Gingerbread House
Ingredients
  • 5 cups all purpose flour - about
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 cup Crisco
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups molasses
  • 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Thoroughly blend the flour, salt and spices together. Set aside.
  2. Heat the Crisco in a pan until it melts. Stir in sugar and continue to stir until it melts off of the heat. Cool. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Add to your mixer bowl.
  3. Add 4 cups of the flour mixture to the molasses mixture. Mix well until thoroughly combined. Add in remaining flour. Knead until it comes together. Let set for 15 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  5. Take about 1/3 of the gingerbread mix and make a ball. Roll it out on the back of a sprayed cookie sheet. Lay your pattern on and figure out the best arrangement. Read tips above. Cut the pieces out with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Remove excess gingerbread. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  6. Remove cookie sheets from refrigerator and bake for about 10 - 12 minutes. It should just be beginning to brown around the edges. Remove to a wire rack to dry overnight before assembling.
  7. Any extra dough should be refrigerated. Let come to room temperature before using.
Notes
adapted from Wilton - there is no way to give accurate times, time will depend on your experience and how elaborate or simple you want to be.
3.4.3177

 

halloween gingerbread house recipe

Halloween Gingerbread House

Christmas Gingerbread Houses – there are a couple at That’s My Home and this one here with the Royal Icing Recipe I use.

christmas gingerbread house from recipesfoodandcooking .com

Farmhouse Gingerbread House

Gingerbread  Christmas House

Halloween Gingerbread House

Mary Ellen

Filed Under: Desserts, Halloween, Holidays

« Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Reese’s Oreo Peanut Butter Bark »

Comments

  1. Julie says

    October 26, 2013 at 5:10 am

    Wow, what a cute idea. The kids would love slapping icing/sweets all over one of these!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 26, 2013 at 8:05 pm

      LOL, yes the kids do like making these. They love looking at them after too! So much fun to watch them.

      Reply
  2. Linda says

    October 26, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    Isn’t this fun? Looks like fun to make, too. Linda

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 26, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      Yes, it was lots of fun! I always like to make them.

      Reply
  3. Jen says

    October 26, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    What a fun Gingerbread house for Halloween! Thanks so much for linking it up to the DIY Sunday Showcase!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 26, 2013 at 8:01 pm

      Hi Jen, it was lots of fun to make. Thanks for hosting a great party.

      Reply
  4. Michelle says

    October 27, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    This is awesome! I especially like the way the trees look…very spooky! I’m a new follower from Let’s Get Social. Nice to meet you!

    Reply
  5. lorraine williamson says

    October 27, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    love it looks like fun thanks for sharing visiting from saturday night fever link up I’m lorraine at http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 27, 2013 at 7:21 pm

      Welcome Lorraine! I enjoyed the hop. I came and visited you also. Your black cat brownie cake is very cute.

      Reply
  6. Deb @ Kneaded Creations says

    October 27, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Your halloween gingerbread house is so cute! It makes me wish I had children at home to help do fun things like that! You’re very creative!
    Deb @ Kneadedcreations

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 27, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks, it is fun with kids. You’ll find it is fun without them also and it delights them as soon as they see it.

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    October 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    I’ve never thought of doing a house for any other holiday- too cute! Halloween is perfect for extra decorations and kookiness.

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 27, 2013 at 7:18 pm

      Hi Sarah, they work well for every holiday. You can use sugar cookie dough for Easter or Valentine’s Day too which works better with the candies then.

      Reply
  8. Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry! says

    October 27, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    WOW, this is so creative and adorable. I love it! Pinning!

    Reply
  9. nettie moore says

    October 27, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    Stopping by from Will cook for smiles, fabulous gingerbread house! Nettie

    Reply
  10. Maria says

    October 27, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Cute and delicious looking! Thank you for posting!
    Linking up from the Monday Mom Blog Hop!
    Maria
    http://www.musicteachingandparenting.com

    Reply
  11. Jenna says

    October 28, 2013 at 7:21 am

    So cute! I wanted to make a candy house this year and ran out of time, pinning for next year!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 28, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Jenna, get one ready for Christmas! Have fun….

      Reply
  12. Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/ says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:08 am

    A Halloween gingerbread house is on my bucket list! I’ve never made one and I’m really love to make one! Pinning for next year’s project! Thank You for sharing, found you via Say Not Sweet Anne’s party.

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 28, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Lizy, it’s a fun project! enjoyed the party, found some new sites I really liked.

      Reply
  13. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says

    October 28, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    So cute and very festive!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 28, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks Lisa!

      Reply
  14. Claire says

    October 28, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Love this,so sweet and very creative :)

    Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays…

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 28, 2013 at 6:06 pm

      Thank you for hosting a great party!

      Reply
  15. Jill says

    October 28, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    What a fabulous house!
    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 28, 2013 at 11:37 pm

      Thanks Jill!

      Reply
  16. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    October 29, 2013 at 9:23 am

    This is such a cute and clever idea. I love it. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:27 am

      thanks Marty for stopping by!

      Reply
  17. Kayla says

    October 29, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Cute Halloween Gingerbread House. Thanks for sharing on Sweet Sharing Monday!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks Kayla!

      Reply
  18. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    October 29, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Wow, this is impressive! I can’t believe this is your messy one because it looks perfect to me! I can’t say that I could muster up the patience to take on this project, but I love looking at yours :) Thanks so much for sharing this at Saturday Night Fever!

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 29, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      It’s the messy one because it doesn’t have to be square, one of the walls is on a angle and none of the windows were cut straight on purpose. It just makes it a little more fun.

      Reply
  19. Cara @ Craftdictator says

    October 31, 2013 at 4:50 am

    This post has been picked to be featured on Craft Frenzy Friday by one of our co-host! Come over tonight at 7PM to http://www.craftdictator.com and grab a button! :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      October 31, 2013 at 8:16 am

      Beyond excited Cara! See you tonight!!!

      Reply
  20. Lisa Lynn says

    October 31, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    I love this! I’d love to have you share this on The HomeAcre Harvest Hop today!
    http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/10/the-homeacre-harvest-hop-2.html

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      November 1, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      Thanks Lisa!

      Reply
  21. Cathy says

    October 31, 2013 at 6:55 pm

    Thank you for sharing at our TGIF Link Party at A Peek Into My Paradise. I love this! SO original! Your post will be featured at the TGIF Link Party this week and was pinned to the TGIF Party Board! I can’t wait to see what you link up this week! Happy Halloween!
    Cathy @ http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      November 1, 2013 at 11:37 pm

      Thanks Cathy! love your site!!!

      Reply
  22. Danielle says

    November 3, 2013 at 9:30 am

    Adorable Halloween house! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

    Reply
  23. Claire says

    November 3, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Looks amazing :)

    featuring and pinned this week at Creative Mondays,,, thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
    • Mary Ellen says

      November 3, 2013 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks Claire!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. halloween treats | Creative Entertaining says:
    October 28, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    […] Halloween Gingerbread House […]

    Reply
  2. Craft Frenzy Friday! Link Up Your Cute #Craft! - Turning the Clock Back says:
    October 31, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    […] Halloween Gingerbread House at Recipes, Food, & Cooking […]

    Reply
  3. Craft Frenzy Friday #11 | Craft Dictator says:
    October 31, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    […] Halloween Gingerbread House at Recipes, Food, & Cooking […]

    Reply
  4. My Favorite Posts Show Off Weekend Blog Party #30 & A Great Giveaway! » This Momma's Ramblings says:
    November 1, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    […] make a Thanksgiving appearance ” Cathy’s favorite from last week comes from Recipes, Food, & Cooking: “Super cute! My family had an unforgettable experience attempting to build a gingerbread […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Connect With Me!

Categories

Our Featured Recipes

3
Deviled Crab Croquettes and Giveaway
Deviled Crab Croquettes
Pull Apart Dinner Rolls
Pull Apart Dinner Rolls
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Roasted Cabbage Steaks
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
Chocolate Peanut Butter Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake
  • Lemonade Slushies
  • It’s a Party with Frozen Watermelon Daiquiri’s!
  • Cheesy Italian Sweet Pepper Bites
  • Fresh From Florida Tomatoes
  • Campfire Cinnamon and Raisin French Toast
  • 3 Ingredient Strawberry Microwave Jam
  • Strawberry Jam Chocolate Pudding Cake
  • Ooey Gooey Butter Cakes
  • Chocolate Fudge Peppermint Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
  • Ham with Easy Sour Orange Glaze
  • Favorite Christmas Breakfast or Brunch Recipes
  • My Favorite Christmas Candy Recipes
  • Deviled Crab Croquettes
  • Saffron Yellow Rice with Autumn Vegetables

Places of Interest

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Razzle Dazzle Recipes
  • RSS
  • That's My Home


Search That’s My Home and Razzle Dazzle Recipes

Google
Custom Search

Stampin’ Up!

Stampin' UP!

SoFab Badge


© Copyright 2007 Recipes, Food & Cooking · All Rights Reserved.