The easiest gingerbread house kits to build this year
National Gingerbread House Day falls on the 12th December so we've rounded up the easiest gingerbread house kits to join in and whip up a house in no time
Did you know 12th December marks National Gingerbread House Day? We'll take any excuse to join in and get festive, so what better time to build your own gingerbread house. This fun tradition doesn't have to be an all-day labour of love though. We've tested some of the easiest gingerbread house kits you can buy so that it's built in no time and you can spend more time on the fun bits: decorating, and eating the sweets. Check out our full review of the best gingerbread house kits 2022 to see our complete selection for all skill levels.
What is National Gingerbread House Day?
National Gingerbread House Day falls on Monday 12th December. An American creation, it's the time to get building and decorating a gingerbread house with friends or family. As it falls on a Monday this year, we've chosen super easy kits to help you build a house quickly and get in the festive spirit.
Why do we make gingerbread houses at Christmas?
The tradition of building houses made from gingerbread can be traced back to the fairytale of Hansel & Gretel by Brother's Grimm. In the story, an evil witch lives in a house of gingerbread - and German gingerbread guilds soon began creating their own creations. These have become the less sinister festive cottage designs we recognise today. The most impressive and elaborate gingerbread houses can still be found
What type of gingerbread is used for a gingerbread house?
The term 'gingerbread' is a broad term that can apply to several different styles of spicy cookie and cake. Our gingerbread cookies recipe makes a soft, cakey result - a great festive snack, but not the type you need if you are building with your dough. This needs to be dry and strong to be able to stand up straight and set with icing without crumbling. Check out our simple gingerbread house recipe for a crisp, strong cookie if you've got time to make you own. The kits below vary between making your own or having readymade slabs so you don't have to worry.
The easiest gingerbread houses to build for National Gingerbread House Day
Lakeland traditional gingerbread house kit
- Available from Lakeland (£14.99)
You don't need to even turn your oven on to create a gingerbread house: this kit from Lakeland comes complete with ready-made and baked gingerbread slabs that you just need to assemble. The gingerbread already has brick detail carved into it so your icing skills don't need to be intricate. A piping bag is included for icing, along with sweets, chocolate buttons and ready-decorated mini gingerbread people for finishing touches to your centrepiece.
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Available from:
Lakeland (£14.99)
Waitrose gingerbread house kit
- Available from Waitrose (£6)
If you do have time to bake your own gingerbread, this bargain kit from Waitrose makes it easy. The dry ingredients are premixed so you just need to add melted butter and honey to make a dough. The simple structure of the kit means minimal walls to balance against each other too, and the clever cut-out heart decoration makes it look unique.
Available from:
Waitrose (£6)
Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate house kit
Traditionalists might think this sacrilege on National Gingerbread House Day, but to build a delicious festive house you don't even need to involve gingerbread! Chocoholics will love this Cadbury Dairy Milk creation and it's incredibly easy to create. Whole bars of chocolate are glued together with more melted chocolate to create the house, then decorated with buttons and a flake to complete the cosy cottage look. A great simple option if you've got kids who don't like spicy gingerbread!
