Gingerbread House Template
A free gingerbread house template for adults who bake or craft, at real size: choose a small, classic or large house, or type your own width, depth and wall height. The pattern pieces (front, back, two side walls, two roof panels and an optional chimney) print at actual size on Letter or A4.
Print at 100% (actual size). Each page has a 2 inch line to check the scale. Pieces that are too big for one page are turned sideways; widths over 7 in will not fit on Letter.
How to use the template
- Print the pages at actual size and check the 2 inch line with a ruler.
- Cut out the paper pieces. For a sturdier pattern, glue them on thin card first.
- Roll the dough to an even thickness, about 1/4 in (6 mm). Lay the paper pieces on top and cut around them with a small sharp knife. Cut the door and windows along the dashed lines, or leave them and pipe them with icing later.
- Bake the pieces flat. Straight after baking, lay the paper pieces on top again and trim any edges that spread, while the cookie is still warm and soft.
- Let the pieces cool completely on a flat surface before you build.
Putting the house together
Use thick royal icing as glue. Join the front to one side wall first and hold it upright with a can or a mug for a few minutes, then add the back and the other side. Let the walls dry for at least an hour before you add the roof panels. The roof panels overhang the walls a little on every side, which hides small gaps.
Choosing a size
- Small (3 x 4 in): fits on one or two pages and one baking sheet; good for place settings or as a gift.
- Classic (4.5 x 6 in): the usual table centerpiece, with a chimney.
- Large (6 x 7.5 in): a showpiece with a steeper roof. You will need a large sheet of dough and an extra batch of icing.
Not baking this year? Print the house and build it from card stock, or color the decorated house front at the end of the list above.