It's Christmas cookie season, and you know what that means: Gingerbread is having its moment in the spotlight! If you don't quite have the time to bake gingerbread this holiday season but you're longing to create your very own edible village, we've got you covered with these adorable mini "gingerbread" houses made with chocolate graham crackers! There's no baking or store-bought gingerbread house kit required, and with the graham cracker lines serving as a convenient cutting guide, this project is beginner-friendly and suitable for the whole family.
We'll guide you all the way through, showing you how to use graham crackers to assemble a trio of tiny houses atop a cake board, decorated with homemade royal icing, powdered sugar, and embellishments of your choice. And to sweeten the project even more, we've included a bonus recipe: homemade mocha using Milo powder!
Video of the Day
Ready to make your very own edible holiday wonderland? Read on for all the details — and don't forget to keep a warm drink and holiday cookies on hand as you get crafty.
Video: DIY Graham Cracker Gingerbread House Village
Quick Recipe Overview
SERVING SIZE: 3 mini graham cracker houses, 1 Milo mocha
PREP TIME: 30 minutes
DECORATING TIME: 45 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes
Graham Cracker Shortbread
Things You'll Need
Cutting board
Serrated knife
12 chocolate graham crackers
1. Cut the front and back walls
Place one graham cracker on a cutting board. Using the lines in the graham cracker as a guide, use a serrated knife to cut diagonally across the top half for a pointed top. Cut diagonally the other way so the graham cracker has a triangular shape, as pictured.
Repeat this step five times for a total of six cut graham crackers. Each house will use three graham crackers.
Tip
When cutting the graham crackers, use a slow, gentle sawing motion. Do not press down too firmly or the graham cracker will break.
2. Cut the sides and roof pieces
Cut six graham crackers in half for a total of 12 squares. These will create the side pieces and roofs. Each house calls for four squares.
Tip
Save your scraps! You can use them to add chimneys, footpaths, and other fun details.
Royal Icing
Things You'll Need
Large bowl or bowl of stand mixer
Stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment or electric mixer
1 or 2 large piping bags
Piping tips
2 Tbsp. meringue powder
6 Tbsp. cold water
2–2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Tip
Meringue powder is a handy pantry item, eliminating the need to separate large eggs into egg whites and yolks. Use it to make basic meringues and royal icing.
1. Mix the meringue powder
In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of meringue powder and 6 tablespoons of cold water. Mix on a medium to high speed until medium peaks form.
2. Add the powdered sugar
Gradually add the powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments, mixing on a low speed.
The icing should be thick but easily pipable. For stiffer icing, gradually add powdered sugar in increments of a few tablespoons.
Transfer the royal icing to large piping bags. You can fit one with a small, round tip (or just snip the bag with scissors) and one with a decorative tip. We used the Wilton 2D.
Assembly
Things You'll Need
10-inch cake board
Graham cracker pieces, cut
Royal icing
Gum drops, marshmallows, sprinkles, candy canes (optional)
1. Attach the front, back, and sides of the house
Pipe royal icing on the cake board and the parts of the graham crackers where the pieces will meet. You'll use two triangular tops for the front and back and two square pieces for the sides.
2. Create the rooftop
Pipe royal icing on the inner parts of the graham crackers where the roof pieces will attach. Gently place both roof pieces at the same time so they balance each other out and stay put.
3. Reinforce the house with icing
Pipe royal icing where the graham crackers meet to reinforce the structure. This will also act as an outline for decorating.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the remaining two houses.
4. Decorate the village
Decorating your village is the most fun part of the project! Get the whole family involved and see what kind of creative ideas start flowing.
Festive graham cracker gingerbread house ideas
- Use royal icing to add squiggles, lines, doors, windows, and other fun shapes.
- Place gingerbread man cookies around each mini house.
- Add "shingles" to your houses using gumdrops, M&M's, peppermints, and other tasty treats.
- Create animals for your village using tiny marshmallows and crushed bits of candy.
Your completed graham cracker gingerbread house village can be left out at room temperature. Just make sure to protect it from pets or children who might want to snack on sweet little houses!
Bonus Recipe: Milo Mocha
Elevate your crafting experience with a warm and cozy cup of Milo mocha! Don't forget to add a generous side of sugar cookies for snacking.
Things You'll Need
Mini whisk
1 cup any type of milk, hot
1 tsp. espresso powder
3–5 Tbsp. Milo powder
Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, allspice (optional)
Mini marshmallows
1. Combine the ingredients
In a mug, combine the hot milk, espresso powder, and 3 to 5 tablespoons of Milo powder to taste. Use a mini whisk to mix the ingredients. Sprinkle your desired spices on top.
2. Top with mini marshmallows
Add a few mini marshmallows on top and enjoy!
