Top 10 Gingerbread House Ideas

Aaron Morgan, executive pastry chef at The Grove Park Inn Resort in Asheville, N.C., is the co-author of Making Great Gingerbread Houses (Lark Books, 1999) and has appeared on Good Morning America. He offers the following ideas for creating a gingerbread house.

1. Use Templates

Think through your gingerbread house ideas before you start. Using cardboard, cut templates that, when taped together, will stand as the house you will create.

2. Chill the Dough

Keep gingerbread dough as cold as possible while rolling and cutting. It will hold its shape better.

3. Use the Right Tools

Use plenty of dusting flour when rolling dough so it won't stick. Use a pastry brush to dust off excess flour before baking. Also, try a dough wheel (pizza cutter) to cut your gingerbread. It won't stretch or stress the dough as much as dragging a knife.

4. Bake It Just Right

Bake all gingerbread pieces until they are hard and deep brown. Soft gingerbread will make a soft gingerbread house destined to crumble.

5. Decorate Creatively

Get inspiration and gingerbread house ideas by spending time searching different candy aisles. Bring your inner child! The colorful, edible details you discover will create your house's personality.

6. Royal Icing Is the Key

Your gingerbread house ideas can't take shape without royal icing. Anywhere gingerbread meets gingerbread, royal icing creates your bond. Use liberally inside and decoratively outside.

7. Icing Tips

Royal icing should have good body, moderately stiff. If too soft and runny, it will not create a lasting hold. Also, keep royal icing covered with a damp towel to avoid crusting as you work with it. Store in an air-tight container.