We’ve all been there—attempting to build a gingerbread house with pieces that refuse to stay stuck together. While decorating a gingerbread masterpiece has become a time-honored family tradition, it can be tough to execute. I can’t even tell you how many gingerbread walls I’ve broken. So I was thrilled to discover the secret to sturdy construction: sugar!
How to Make a Gingerbread House Stay Together
Some of us rely on cups, bowls and various other kitchen items to keep our gingerbread house walls secure as the royal icing slowly hardens. This method can be time-consuming and frustrating—because when you think everything’s coming together, it will all come tumbling down. What’s the deal with that?
Well, TikTok user @tastyentertaining has the answer to all of our gingerbread house problems. She recommends using granulated sugar instead of royal icing to hold the walls together. How? Just melt the sugar in a pan over low heat. You want to allow it to turn brown, but make sure not to burn it (otherwise it won’t taste so great).
Then take your gingerbread house pieces, dip the edges in melted sugar and hold them together for a few seconds. That’s it! The sugar hardens quickly and creates an solid base for tons and tons of decorating.
Don’t miss our best ideas for adorable gingerbread houses!
More Ways to Keep Your House Up
Believe it or not, a Brown University undergraduate found that melting down candies like gummy bears, caramel and marshmallows also worked as a solid “glue” for gingerbread houses. I think a marshmallow glue could go perfectly with a s’mores-themed house, while colorful gummy bear glue would look fabulous with kinds of candy cane flavors and hues.
However you decide to decorate your house this year, it’s bound to be delicious!
Our Best-Ever Gingerbread Recipes
Lemony Gingerbread Whoopie PiesThese spiced-just-right whoopie pies combine two popular flavors in one fun treat. The moist cookies are rolled in sugar before baking for a bit of crunch. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
From recipes to tips, decorations to inspiration, find everything you might need with our
Ultimate Gingerbread Baking & Decorating Guide.
Gingerbread Men CookiesNo holiday treat platter would be complete without a
gingerbread men cookie recipe! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
Gingerbread SpritzI get so busy during the Christmas season that cutout cookies are a hassle. But I love gingerbread and spritz cookies so I combined my favorite recipes and was pleased at the results.—Sherry Gazelka, Iron, Minnesota
Granny's Gingerbread Cake with Caramel SauceThe rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
Gingerbread Yule LogsI was never fond of gingerbread until I rolled it up with Nutella. These logs are a fabulous addition to any cookie platter. —Terri Gilson, Calgary, Alberta
Gingerbread Pudding CakeSuper-moist cake gets all spiced up in this scrumptious slow-cooked dessert. If you want it a little sweeter, drizzle it with maple syrup. —Barbara Cook, Yuma, Arizona
Citrus Gingerbread CookiesOrange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness. —Monique Hooker, DeSoto, Wisconsin
Looking for more recipes? Learn how to make these
gluten-free gingerbread cookies at home.
Butterscotch Gingerbread CookiesEvery time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
Contest-Winning Gingerbread with Lemon SauceI asked my mother-in-law for this recipe once I learned it's my husband's favorite. Now I bake it whenever he needs an extra-special treat. Spice cake topped with lemony sauce makes us both smile. —Kristen Oak, Pocatello, Idaho
Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip CookiesThis recipe is the best of twp worlds—gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies. Since they're combined, you don't have to choose between them. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Gingerbread SnowflakesCutting my favorite gingerbread cookie dough into snowflake shapes and decorating them with white icing was ideal for my theme get-together. I save these crunchy treats to enjoy on the way home from our Christmas tree outing.
—Shelly Rynearson, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Cran-Apple Praline GingerbreadStart with a spice-rich batter poured atop apples and cranberries in a creamy caramel sauce, then invert when done baking for a topsy-turvy dessert that’s a real beauty. The old-time holiday taste will delight family and friends! —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Gingerbread Buttermilk WafflesWe created this recipe so folks could enjoy the festive flavor of gingerbread at breakfast. For a pretty look, sprinkle the waffles with confectioners’ sugar.— Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Gingerbread Oatmeal CookiesCookie butter and ground ginger add a new layer of flavor. The recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Gingerbread Peppermint PinwheelsTwo holiday flavors—gingerbread and peppermint—come together in these impressive pinwheel cookies. I created the recipe especially for my husband, who loves the combination. —Joanna Quelch, Burlington, Vermont
Apple-Pecan Gingerbread CobblerMy favorite cobbler recipe is a scrumptious blend of gingerbread and apples. It’s easy to make and perfect when topped with ice cream. —Lois Hendrix, Redondo Beach, California
Gingerbread Cutout CookiesOur two boys linger around the kitchen when these homemade gingerbread cookies are baking. I make this gingerbread cookie recipe throughout the year using a variety of cookie cutters. —Christy Thelan, Kellogg, Iowa
Gingerbread SyrupHere’s a wonderful treat for the winter. Stir a tablespoon of this syrup into coffee, tea or cider. Drizzle it over pancakes, hot cereal or yogurt. Or use it as a glaze for roast chicken or pork chops! — Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Gingerbread & Pumpkin Cream TrifleWe wait for these flavors all year long. Stack up the layers in a big trifle bowl, or make minis for everybody at the table. —Amy Geiser, Fairlawn, Ohio
Gingerbread Coffee CakeAt our house, we love gingerbread that’s not too sweet. To sweeten it, mix confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla extract for drizzling on top. —Barbara Humiston, Tampa, Florida
Easy Gingerbread PancakesMolasses and spices turn an ordinary pancake mix into a special breakfast. These are so easy to make that you can have them any day of the week. —Trina Stewart, Yacolt, Washington
Gingerbread Meringue BarsFor the best of both worlds, I combined my grandmother's gingerbread recipe with my aunt's special brown sugar meringue. The result? These lovable holiday-perfect bars that have become a new family tradition. —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California
Gingerbread Belgian WafflesI like to combine the sweet and spicy taste of gingerbread with the cool and dreamy taste of cream cheese frosting. It's a heavenly way to start the day! —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts
Easy Gingerbread Cutouts"I rely on this tried-and-true recipe during the holidays," relates Sandy McKenzie of Braham, Minnesota. "The cream cheese frosting complements the cookies' gingery flavor and sets up nicely for easy packaging and stacking."
Pear Upside-Down GingerbreadI prefer to bake from scratch, but this Christmasy cake mix recipe is a favorite. For a change of pace, use apples and walnuts in place of the pears and pecans. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Gingerbread Hot CocoaAre you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie! —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ
Pumpkin Bread with Gingerbread ToppingThis yummy pumpkin bread won first prize in the Acorn Pantry Bread Contest. It melts in your mouth, and the recipe easily doubles for gift-giving. —Renee' Nanez, Frederic, Wisconsin
Gingerbread Cookie BitesI transformed store-bought cookie mix into mini tarts similar to gingerbread brownies. For garnish, try chopped crystalized ginger or a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg. —Shenae Pulliam, Swansea, South Carolina
Gingerbread-Pumpkin Cheesecake BarsA party favorite of ours is gingersnaps and pumpkin dip. I combined those flavors for a wonderful cross between gingerbread bar cookies and cheesecake. —Kathleen Rhodebeck, Penacook, New Hampshire
Chocolate Gingerbread CupcakesThese luscious cupcakes have a touch of semisweet chocolate in the batter and white chocolate in the filling. They melt away fast at our house. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Easy Chocolate Gingerbread CutoutsI have many wonderful memories making these chocolaty cookies with my family during the Christmas season. —Debbie Rowe, Lexington, Kentucky
Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon FrostingWhen I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Gingerbread Ice Cream SandwichesWhen it comes to making an ice cream sandwich, not all gingerbread men are created equal. Some are too crispy; others too soft, but these thin yet sturdy boys hold up nice in the freezer and make for a whimsical make-ahead dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Updated: Jun. 02, 2023
