Mini-Gingerbread Houses

Mini-gingerbread houses are adorable and just the right size for everyone to have their own little gingerbread house to build, decorate and eat. This is a kid-sized gingerbread treat and the decorating process is a great project for the whole family. Added bonus, this recipe is delicious using any shape cookie.

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Cookie Cutter Substitutes

Ideally, this recipe makes mini-gingerbread houses, and they are always a big, big hit. But if you don't have the special cookie cutter, this recipe is still a delicious way to shape and share gingerbread cookies. As an option, here is another similar cookie cutter to make gingerbread houses with. (Note: I've not used that specific one before, but it looks very similar to the cookie cutter I have in my kitchen.) But by all means, use whatever cookie cutter you have on hand. Gingerbread men are always a big hit, and any shape works beautifully with this gingerbread. Enjoy sharing this delicious recipe with your family and friends.

Tips for Mini-Gingerbread Houses

In my experience of making these adorable, kid-sized gingerbread houses for many years, we get the best results when the gingerbread houses are made in stages. I recommend making the dough, rolling and baking it one day. Then, the next day, assembling and decorating the houses. This allows plenty of time for each step and if you use this process as a treat to share during a party, it also allows for ample time to create a few examples to share as inspiration for your guests. Make no mistake, this is a fun process and the end result is an adorable and delicious treat or party favor that everyone loves.

Family Story

We LOVE gingerbread houses in our family. A special thank you to Auntie Maureen who always sends the kids the most beautiful and elaborate gingerbread house every Christmas. This gingerbread recipe is also found on the back of the packaging for the mini-gingerbread cookie cutter. My daughter Madeline has been making these for years!

Decorating

Here's where the fun really starts. I recommend white icing, and various holiday sprinkles, have plenty of options on hand to increase the creativity and unique design for each and every house.

Here are other recipes that are great to serve and enjoy during the holidays. As an appetizer, Cranberry Brie Bites are the perfect blend of cranberry, sweet and savory. I also enjoy sharing Perfect Pie Crust for all our favorite pie recipes.

Mini-Gingerbread Houses

These are adorable and just the right size for everyone to have their own little gingerbread house to build, decorate and eat. You'll need to get a special cookie cutter but once you've got it, this will become a family tradition everyone can look forward to each year. This recipe is delicious using any shape cookie.

4.97 from 27 votes

Print Rate Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Assembling and Decorating: 1 hour

Servings: 12 Gingerbread Houses

Calories: 397kcal

Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
• ⅔ cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour plus extra for dusting while rolling out the dough

Instructions

Combine Ingredients

• Place brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon and ginger in a large pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil, stirring as it cooks. Remove pan from the heat and stir in baking soda.
• Add butter gradually, about ¼ cup at a time, stirring well between additions to combine.
• Next add the egg, vanilla and salt and stir to combine.
• Pour into a large bowl and add flour gradually, stir to combine.

Roll Out

• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured kitchen counter, cutting board or on a pastry cloth and knead until dough comes together and is no longer sticky, adding flour by the tablespoon if needed.
• Roll out half the dough on the floured work surface to about ⅛" thick. Place gingerbread house cookie cutter on the dough and press to cut through the dough and create the outlines for the gingerbread houses.

Bake

• Preheat oven to 325°
• Place the sectioned pieces of dough on the parchment paper and bake until edges are slighted browned, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before assembling and decorating.

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Nutrition

Calories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 298mgPotassium: 349mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 493IUCalcium: 65mgIron: 3mg

Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database and are offered here only as a guideline for informational purposes.

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