How to Build a Gingerbread House

Making and Baking The Pieces

Cut pieces of parchment paper (not waxed paper) into rectangles slightly larger than each of the pattern pieces. You will be able to reuse these parchment papers over and over again.

Break off a fist sized piece of dough. If your dough has been refrigerated, then microwave the dough in sections as you use them.

Roll out the dough on the parchment paper to 1/8 inch thick. Sprinkle with flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking.

Place the pattern piece on top of the rolled-out dough. Carefully cut out the piece with a knife. Don’t forget to cut out the door and windows if desired.

Use small cookie cutters or canape cutters to cut out windows. Windows don’t have to be square! Try making windows of all shapes and sizes. Or, instead of cutting out the doors and windows, you can simply delineate those later in the decorating process with icing and candy.

Slide the parchment paper and dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. You may need to prick air bubbles with a toothpick while baking.

Take the cookie sheet out of the oven and slide the parchment and piece on to the counter and let cool. After 2 or 3 minutes, turn the gingerbread piece over and gently place a phone book on top of it to guarantee a nice flat piece. Let cool and harden completely.

Repeat this process for each piece. Bake more than one piece at a time if possible.

Once your pieces are made and ready to go, head on over to the gingerbread house assembly instructions.