How to Make a DIY Gingerbread Candy House for the Holidays

I love the idea of trying to make my own DIY gingerbread candy house for the holidays, but let’s be honest here: the instructions that come with the kits are clearly written for someone with more crafting talent that I have! That’s why I’m in love with this guest piece from Melanie of BabyGateExperts. She’s broken down the process into 14 easy steps, adding a touch of humor to help us keep it together (our minds, not our candy houses, although she’ll offer advice on that too!). I’ll turn this over to Melanie now so you can get crafting!

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How to Make a Gingerbread Candy House

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Nothing will grab the attention of your kids quite like an invitation to bring them into the kitchen to make a candy house! So put on your apron and prepare to make messes and memories! Here’s a handy-dandy guide to building your very own creation in 14 easy-to-follow steps.

#1: Pretend to read the instructions.

#2: Pour the candy pieces into bowl…make sure to spill a few so that you can have some to snack on.

#3: Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Check it often so that it doesn’t burn. Nobody likes burnt chocolate! Yuck! When the pieces are soft, but still a bit chunky, remove them from the microwave.

#4: Stir, stir, and stir some more until it is all smooth. If you slop a little here and there, that’s okay…it’s part of the fun!

#5: Fill the candy molds with the gloppy goop of chocolate. If it looks tricky, it’s because it IS tricky. Don’t get discouraged…at least it’s candy, so if it seems a bit overwhelming, at least it will be worth it in the end. You can’t say that about mud pies, now can you?

#6: Tap the molds gently against the countertop until the chocolate settles flat. Don’t tap too hard or the chocolate will get in your hair and possibly all over the floor. Trust me, that just isn’t where the chocolate belongs!

#7: Lick the spoon! Be extra-careful not to skip this step, as it is probably the most important one of the entire process. You do not want to waste a single bit!

#8: Transfer the molds into the freezer. Keep them flat so that your frozen peas don’t become smothered in chocolate. Unless you like chocolate-covered peas…in which case, let them tip crazily to your heart’s content.

#9: Take a little break and have some fun…a little dancing, a few gymnastic moves! Anything to break the monotony of waiting for the chocolate to get cold since that’s about as much fun as waiting for water to boil.

#10: When the molded chocolate is hardened, remove from the molds. Admire your handiwork.

#11: Assemble the walls and roof…using the spare melted chocolate as the “glue.” Resist the urge to lick your fingers while you work, as that will probably gross out the people who want to eat the house when it is finished.

#12: Prepare the frosting and candy decorations. Take the opportunity to nibble a sweet treat when nobody’s looking.

#13: Use the frosting as glue for the pretty candies, as well as for making pretend icicles. Be creative and make fun designs. Edible architecture can be silly and yummy all at once!

#14: TA-DA! Enjoy your candy house!

Bio for Melanie Pierce

Melanie is mom to five energetic kids, including a sweet new baby. She enjoys homeschooling her children from a peaceful parenting perspective and traveling with her family whenever she can. Her hobbies include playing the guitar, gardening, and relaxing with a hot cup of coffee. She freelances in her spare time and loves to write about this crazy journey called parenthood. She also is an author at BabyGateExperts.com, a blog which helps parents unravel the mysteries of baby-gating.

Have you ever made your own gingerbread candy house? How did it turn out?