Graham Cracker “Gingerbread” Houses Tutorial

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If you're short on time during the busy holiday season (and really, who isn't?), we have a secret short cut for making "gingerbread" houses. Use graham crackers instead. Fast, easy and just as festive as the real thing, building these holly jolly houses is the kind of holiday moment that makes magical memories for kids and adults alike.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

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Things You'll Need

  • Graham crackers

  • Serrated bread knife

  • Store-bought white cookie icing (fine tip bottle)

  • Assorted candy

  • Plate or charger

Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 1

For each house, you'll need five graham crackers. To create the two side pieces of the house, use a serrated knife to slice one graham cracker in half.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Tip

Saw the cracker very lightly, and don't apply too much pressure or the cracker will break. You'll probably break a few along the way, but the broken ones just make for good snacks.

Step 2

To create the front and back pieces of the house, slice pointed ends on two of the graham crackers.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 3

To create the two roof pieces, slice the bottom 1/4 off of two crackers.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

At this point, you should have six pieces: two side pieces, a front piece, a back piece, and two roof pieces.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 4

Build your "gingerbread" house on a plate or charger, so you can move it around easily when it's done. It doesn't have to be anything fancy -- a piece of cardboard wrapped in tin foil or a cake circle would also work. Begin by piping a line of cookie icing on the plate and then stick one of the side pieces into the icing.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 5

Next, pipe icing along the sides of the front piece to "glue" it to the side piece.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 6

Now attach the second side piece to the front piece.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 7

Attach the back piece to the two side pieces.

Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Tip

Pipe icing on the plate along the bottom of each piece to make the house stand sturdier.

Step 8

Attach the two roof pieces to the house.

Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Step 9

Now for the fun part -- decorating the house! Use icing to "glue" various candy pieces to the house and roof. I used a variety of candy types: gum balls, peppermints, sugared gum drops, mini M&Ms, mini candy canes and mini marshmallows. I also used one graham cracker segment as a "door"and hung a gummy wreath above it.

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Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

Dust a little powdered sugar over the entire plate when finished to create a "snowy" scene. Have fun personalizing the house to your own taste and enjoy the merrymaking! (And don't forget to sample the candy while you're at it.)

Image Credit: Trisha Sprouse

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