Gluten free gingerbread houses are fun and delicious to make with family. And gingerbread houses aren’t just for Christmas anymore!
Making homemade gluten free gingerbread houses is so fun!! Whether for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day or a random weekend, grab your favorite gluten free candies and gfJules Gluten Free Graham Cracker/Gingerbread Mix and go!
It doesn’t even have to be a holiday to build a gluten free gingerbread house. It’s just whenever the house-building spirit moves you!
Especially on those cold, stuck inside January and February snow days) … “building” a gluten free gingerbread house is one of the most fun family activities you can enjoy in the kitchen!
I used gluten-free Peeps, M&M’s, Dum Dums, Unreal Dark Chocolate & Coconut Bars, Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars, Sweets Indeed Googly Eyes, and Wilton Royal Icing Ghosts & Cats. (Note: these Wilton candies are made on equipment that also processes wheat, but because we’re not eating these, I used them to decorate — whether you use these is up to you.)
For the gluten free candies I used in this Gluten Free Halloween Gingerbread House and more gluten free Halloween candy decorating ideas, hop to my Gluten Free Halloween Candy List!
Mini Gingerbread House made with mini-cutters – click to shop!
Because remember, gingerbread houses can be any shape or size!!
One bag of mix or one recipe will make enough dough for one LARGE house with plenty of dough left over to make trees, gingerbread people or gingersnaps, or a mini gingerbread house VILLAGE — all gluten free, all vegan and allergen-friendly!
(Note: This recipe + lots more fun gluten free winter baking recipes can be found in my gfJules Holiday Baking e-book!)
The easiest way to make this deliciously edible gluten free and vegan, nut-free, allergen-friendly gingerbread house is to use my gfJules Gluten Free Graham Cracker/Gingerbread Mix, but I’ve also provided you with a from-scratch recipe in the recipe card below.
Either way — the mix or the recipe — you’ll have more than enough dough to make a house and lots of gingerbread people or other decorations, so plan accordingly, or freeze the dough for more cookies (or s’mores!) later!
To make the template for the gluten free gingerbread house, grab a sheet of 8×10 paper and measure out the dimensions below, cut the templates out, and lay them on top of the rolled out gluten free dough.
Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter Set – click to shop!
Using either the template or the cutter set, it’s handy to cut a piece of parchment to fit inside the two roof pieces and “glue” this paper to the underside of the roof to hold the pieces together and keep them from sliding down the house! See my video for more on how this works, but it’s an easy little fix for any gingerbread builder!
See the notes section of my recipe card below for more information and ideas for gluten free candies and decorations, even dye-free, sugar-free, vegan and more.
I also have a vegan meringue powder source for you, if you’d like to make Royal Icing to “glue” this edible architecture together and keep it vegan!
Announcing the winners of the 2021 #gfJulesHolidayContest Giveaway!
The top 3 winners in this year’s Gluten Free Gingerbread House competition on the blog, Instagram and Facebook: Chrissy Murray “GF Holiday in the Sun”; Ashley Housley #veryhousleychristmas; Ellin Smith “Rooftop Reindeer” House.
And to recap: gluten free gingerbread houses aren’t just for Christmas … they’re fun anytime you find yourself inside looking for a fun family activity.
Here’s one of our Valentine’s Day Gluten Free Gingerbread Houses for more inspiration!
Making gingerbread houses at the holidays is a treasured memory for many of us; don't let celiac or food allergies get in the way! This adorable Gluten Free Gingerbread House recipe and how-to will get everyone in the kitchen to have fun making more yummy memories!
Beat together the first four ingredients listed above in one large bowl, and mix all of the remaining dry ingredients in another bowl. Slowly stir the dry mixture into the first bowl, adding water if and as necessary to create a consistency such that you could make a ball with the dough and it is no longer crumbly.
Cover and refrigerate dough until cold if very sticky.
Preheat oven to 325º F for static ovens, 300º F for convection.
If using template, use three 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of paper and measure out shapes as pictured, according to inches noted. Cut around the shapes so you have one for the sides; one for the front/back; one for the roof. Lay onto rolled dough and cut out two roof pieces; two front/back pieces; two sides. (Otherwise, simply use cutters to cut out large house pieces or many mini gingerbread houses.)
Roll one half of the cold dough onto a surface liberally dusted with gfJules All Purpose Flour. The dough should make a large 1/8 – 1/4 inch thick rectangle. Do not roll the dough too thin, or the sides of the house might break.
Lay templates over the dough and cut with a pizza cutter or butter knife. Repeat with remaining dough until two roofs, two front/back sides, and two sides are cut.
Use remaining dough to cut trees, gingerbread people or other designs. Place cut pieces onto parchment-lined cookie sheets and bake in preheated oven for 19 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned, but not getting hard. (For mini gingerbread houses, bake for only 15 minutes and check the house pieces for done-ness so they do not burn.)
Remove to fully cool on wire racks.
Make 1 recipe of White Frosting or Royal Icing (whip 1 2/3 sifted confectioner's sugar together with 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar and 1 egg white or vegan meringue powder*) to “glue” the house pieces together and to a base, and to adhere any candies or **edible decorations to the house.
Notes
TEMPLATE NOTES: Use three 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of paper and measure out shapes as pictured, according to inches noted. Cut around the shapes so you have one for the sides; one each for the front/back; one for each side of the roof. Lay onto rolled dough and cut out two roof pieces; two front/back pieces; two sides. Use extra dough for chimney pieces, gingerbread men, other decorations or extra cookies.
Also see visual above regarding cutting a piece of parchment to "glue" to the underside of the two roof pieces to keep them from sliding down the gingerbread house!
Thank you Jules!
I had a blast! It was a perfect stress buster for me…I’ve been taking care of my husband recovering from knee replacement surgery since 12/13 and I needed something festive and creative to work on in between PT, food, etc… you know, to feel like Christmas… thanks so much …perfect timing! And it’s my first gingerbread house…am inspired to make another, maybe on Valentine’s Day.. 🙂
Happy New Year!
I do hope your hubby is feeling better! At least he has this adorable gluten free gingerbread house to cheer him up in the meantime!!! So glad you gave it a try this year are inspired to make another!!!!
~jules
Here is our 100% gluten-free Holiday in the Sun. Both of my girls had so much fun decorating our house this week! This was the first year we were able to make a gingerbread house and not be panicked with our girls trying to eat the candy off a not-safe house. Thank you so much for such a great recipe!!!
That is one festively tropical gluten-free gingerbread house!!! I love that beachy spin on the traditional!!!
So happy everyone could enjoy the making and the eating this year!!!
~jules
Your GF flour has been my favorite and a life-saver ever since I was diagnosed 12 years ago. Thank you SO much for allowing me to live and bake normally! Last year we found this gingerbread recipe, and it restored a much-missed tradition. All 4 of my little rascals (8, 5, 2 & 2) had an absolute blast last night decorating away. Frosting, candy and the smell of gingerbread EVERYWHERE, just as it should be this time of year! Thank you so much for the awesome recipe. It was perfection.
Awwww, I love it!!! These are just precious, Amber! So happy everyone took part and had these delicious and adorably edible houses to show for it!!!
~jules
Hello!
Is there a recipe I can use for the icing or “glue”? We can’t use the vegan merengue powder because of nuts in the facility.
Just ordered the mixes and can’t wait to try!
Thank you!
Hi! Yes – I often just use this homemade easy white frosting recipe with my gluten free gingerbread houses and it works great, too!! Have fun!!!
~jules
Second year in a row, we struggled through the building and flew through the eating. We keep it to cookie and icing as finding gluten free candies is tricky where we are.
LOL I love how you put that, Maria: “struggled through the building and flew through the eating”! 🙂
That’s really the better outcome, when you think of it! And icing is way better than candies, anyway! Looks like you had a lot of fun making your gluten free gingerbread house, and good to know the munching was enjoyed by all!!!
~jules
So cute and festive, Miriam! Thanks so much for sharing your pics – I’m glad you went for it and made a gluten free gingerbread house for the first time. Hopefully it won’t be the last!
~jules
This recipe seems to be missing instructions to refrigerate the dough. Can you please revise the recipe to include this important step?
You go from dough to “cold dough” without explaining when it for how long to cool the dough.
Hi Sabrina, the dough may be chilled if it’s too sticky to work with, but it’s not required. There may be a line missing in the recipe from converting from one recipe card layout to another — that has happened with a few recipes randomly for some reason, so I’ll take a look. But just so you know, it’s not required with this dough that it must be chilled for best results, it’s merely to help with workability if you find that it’s too sticky to work with. Have fun with your gluten free gingerbread house building!
~jules
Instead of the traditional decoration of the outside, we decided to decorate the inside of our gingerbread house! My husband and I proudly present, our dream gym! As a triathlete and aerialist, this gluten-free vegan gym was not only fun to create but also super tasty!
Just GORGEOUS!!! I love the gluten-free gingerbread village you’ve built here, Belle! So happy my gluten free gingerbread recipe has helped bring out such artistic genious!
~jules
Congratulations, Kat! You’re the winner of our Gluten Free Gingerbread House Giveaway this year!!!! We’ll get the prizes on their way to you so you can get ready to make a Valentine’s Day Gluten Free Gingerbread House next!!!!
~jules
The easiest way to make this deliciously edible gluten free and vegan, nut-free, allergen-friendly gingerbread house is to use my gfJules Gluten Free Graham Cracker/Gingerbread Mix, but I’ve also provided you with a from-scratch recipe in the recipe card below.
Thank you Jules!
I had a blast! It was a perfect stress buster for me…I’ve been taking care of my husband recovering from knee replacement surgery since 12/13 and I needed something festive and creative to work on in between PT, food, etc… you know, to feel like Christmas… thanks so much …perfect timing! And it’s my first gingerbread house…am inspired to make another, maybe on Valentine’s Day.. 🙂
Happy New Year!
I do hope your hubby is feeling better! At least he has this adorable gluten free gingerbread house to cheer him up in the meantime!!! So glad you gave it a try this year are inspired to make another!!!!
~jules
Here is our 100% gluten-free Holiday in the Sun. Both of my girls had so much fun decorating our house this week! This was the first year we were able to make a gingerbread house and not be panicked with our girls trying to eat the candy off a not-safe house. Thank you so much for such a great recipe!!!
That is one festively tropical gluten-free gingerbread house!!! I love that beachy spin on the traditional!!!
So happy everyone could enjoy the making and the eating this year!!!
~jules
Your GF flour has been my favorite and a life-saver ever since I was diagnosed 12 years ago. Thank you SO much for allowing me to live and bake normally! Last year we found this gingerbread recipe, and it restored a much-missed tradition. All 4 of my little rascals (8, 5, 2 & 2) had an absolute blast last night decorating away. Frosting, candy and the smell of gingerbread EVERYWHERE, just as it should be this time of year! Thank you so much for the awesome recipe. It was perfection.
Awwww, I love it!!! These are just precious, Amber! So happy everyone took part and had these delicious and adorably edible houses to show for it!!!
~jules
Hello!
Is there a recipe I can use for the icing or “glue”? We can’t use the vegan merengue powder because of nuts in the facility.
Just ordered the mixes and can’t wait to try!
Thank you!
Hi! Yes – I often just use this homemade easy white frosting recipe with my gluten free gingerbread houses and it works great, too!! Have fun!!!
~jules
Second year in a row, we struggled through the building and flew through the eating. We keep it to cookie and icing as finding gluten free candies is tricky where we are.
LOL I love how you put that, Maria: “struggled through the building and flew through the eating”! 🙂
That’s really the better outcome, when you think of it! And icing is way better than candies, anyway! Looks like you had a lot of fun making your gluten free gingerbread house, and good to know the munching was enjoyed by all!!!
~jules
It’s our first time we made gingerbread house. We was funny and We had a great time
So cute and festive, Miriam! Thanks so much for sharing your pics – I’m glad you went for it and made a gluten free gingerbread house for the first time. Hopefully it won’t be the last!
~jules
Sarah finished hers last night, but she was mad because she couldn’t figure out the dormers! 🤦🏻♀️.
And one more!
My girls really got into it this year!!!
So glad to hear you all enjoyed this fun gluten free gingerbread house activity, Ami!!
~jules
This is our second year using your gf gingerbread mix! We love it. Gabriel, age 6 pictured with his house.
Awwwwwww, what an awesome gluten free gingerbread house!!! And what a happy builder!!!!!!!
~jules
This recipe seems to be missing instructions to refrigerate the dough. Can you please revise the recipe to include this important step?
You go from dough to “cold dough” without explaining when it for how long to cool the dough.
Hi Sabrina, the dough may be chilled if it’s too sticky to work with, but it’s not required. There may be a line missing in the recipe from converting from one recipe card layout to another — that has happened with a few recipes randomly for some reason, so I’ll take a look. But just so you know, it’s not required with this dough that it must be chilled for best results, it’s merely to help with workability if you find that it’s too sticky to work with. Have fun with your gluten free gingerbread house building!
~jules
I can’t wait to try this #GFJULESGINGERBREADHOUSE!
I love the mini gingerbread house sitting on the edge of the mug! So festive!!
Isn’t it adorable? I love those little gluten free gingerbread houses — they’re my new favorites!
~jules
2nd post to follow up with Logan’s Picture – M.B.
Instead of the traditional decoration of the outside, we decided to decorate the inside of our gingerbread house! My husband and I proudly present, our dream gym! As a triathlete and aerialist, this gluten-free vegan gym was not only fun to create but also super tasty!
This is INSANE!! I love the indoor decor and the fact that it’s labeled — SO COOL and creative!!!! Bravo!
~jules
I loved this gingerbread recipe!! Its so hard to find a gluten free recipe that actually works!!!
Just GORGEOUS!!! I love the gluten-free gingerbread village you’ve built here, Belle! So happy my gluten free gingerbread recipe has helped bring out such artistic genious!
~jules
This was so much fun! Thank you for making gluten-free baking so much easier!
YAY! So happy you are having so much fun, Kat! What a colorful and happy little house you made!!!! Thanks so much for sharing a picture! 🙂
~jules
Congratulations, Kat! You’re the winner of our Gluten Free Gingerbread House Giveaway this year!!!! We’ll get the prizes on their way to you so you can get ready to make a Valentine’s Day Gluten Free Gingerbread House next!!!!
~jules