Gingerbread can take many forms, but a decorated gingerbread house is a real festive spectacle. Every component of the 3D structure is edible, with baked gingerbread walls connected by icing and abundantly decorated with colourful treats.
When it comes to flavours of winter, aromatic cinnamon and ginger conjure a sense of warmth and comfort. With the help of a gingerbread kit, you can create a festive centrepiece in your own kitchen.
Our festive favourites below include ready-to-assemble gingerbread house kits, which arrive with pre-baked components accompanied by icing and sweet treats for decoration, and those with dry ingredients and recipe cards for baking the gingerbread at home. There are some award-winning vegan and gluten-free options, too.
If you’re starting from scratch, BBC Good Food’s Lulu Grimes will walk you through how to make gingerbread along with offering her top tips for cutting, shaping and decorating the dough.
Discover a host of Christmas recipes, guides and videos, from festive baking ideas to cocktails and drinks inspiration.
The best gingerbread house kits
Bakedin gingerbread house kit
In theory, the design of this gingerbread house should make it one of the simplest to construct. The recipe itself is by Michel Roux OBE and the kit features all the dry ingredients and butter to measure, a step-by-step recipe card, baking paper and sweets to decorate the house with. The instructions are also online which is a handy back-up if the recipe card gets marked by messy fingers.
Vegan and gluten-free gingerbread house kits, Glitterbug Bakery
For anyone with specific dietary requirements, it can be hard to find delicious gingerbread kits to build at home. The Glitterbug Bakery have an entirely separate kitchen in which to make their free-from bakes without risk of cross-contamination. They offer gluten-, wheat- and dairy-free gingerbread house kits, ready to decorate with sweet treats of your choice. Featured are the pre-baked house parts, a cake board, icing bag and full instructions for assembling it at home. Vegan royal icing will be available on request and the team can work around other dietary requirements, for example, allergies to soya.
Available from the Gitterbug Bakery (£20)
Honeywell Biscuit Company gingerbread house kit
This one begins with making and baking the gingerbread, making it a a great project for kids (and adults!) who love cooking. A template, recipe card, icing and sweets are all included with a few extras to nibble on during the build. There’s also the option to gift-wrap the kit if you’re buying as a present.
Available from Honeywell Bakery (£20)
Gingerbread train kit, TKK Confectionary
For any transport-loving kids, this gingerbread train kit is a great alternative to the traditional house, at a very reasonable price for the quantity. Dry ingredients for making the dough are included, as is the icing mixture and guides for baking the shapes – all that’s required from you is an egg to beat in and an oven.
Favorina gingerbread house kit, Lidl
We love both the design and the price of the Favorina gingerbread house kit. Available to buy in Lidl stores, the kit contains the pre-baked gingerbread house parts, along with icing sugar for use as the cement, plus sugar decorations and fruit jelly sweets. Lidl has a great reputation for its gingerbread.
Gingerbread house DIY kit, Dolce Senso
You can make two smaller gingerbread houses with this kit, so it’s a good choice for families with more than one child. Combine the dry ingredients with eggs, butter and molasses or treacle and use the paper templates to cut out each house element. Sweets are included for decoration, as is the icing with a piping bag. The kits can also be personalised on ordering.
Available from Dolce Senso (£18.50)
Winter Wonderland Gingerbread House Kit
In theory, this kit should be easy to assemble thanks to the interlocking design of its walls and chimney, but slightly older and dexterous children would have the best chance of making sure each piece won’t get broken. Once unpacked, it can be instantly assembled and and a marshmallow snowman, glittered star and a sugar paste partridge for extra festive detailing are among the sweets for decoration. The brand gets extra points for its biodegradable packaging and vacuum packed components.
Available from Village Workshop (£25)
The Biscuiteers DIY pre-baked gingerbread kit
Presented in an ornately decorated square-edged tin, The Biscuiteers gingerbread house kit is a high end treat ready to assemble and suitable for the whole family. Inside you’ll find the brand’s twice-baked gingerbread house pieces, described as having the snap of gingerbread with the crumble of shortbread. Royal icing sugar, piping bags and an assortment of colourful decorations are also included. Alternatively, the brand’s gingerbread Christmas Baubles DIY Tin could make a fun Christmas activity.
Available from The Biscuiteers (£35)
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This guide was last updated in December 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
