
What is the Christmas season without a delicious house with walls made of gingerbread and a roof draping with icing sugar? And no, we’re not talking about the witch’s house in Hansel And Gretel. We are talking about constructing your own perfect and delicious gingerbread house as part of a classic Christmas season tradition. It can be very difficult to keep your house standing if you’re a novice. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert (or a witch) to make the perfect gingerbread house. Here’s a review of the best gingerbread house kits to set you off.
The Best Gingerbread House Kit
1
Gingerbread Wonka Cottage Kit
We will kick-start with Wonka’s Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit. If you are tired of the boring gingerbread houses you see every Christmas season, then welcome to the club. Fortunately, Wonka Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit has brought Wonka’s Candy Factory straight to you in a simple box. No wonder it is gradually being considered one fun gingerbread house kit. This kit comes with all the trimmings and goodies you need to make the best gingerbread house. Each box comes with a weight of two solid pounds. What you will find in the box is an impressive half a pound of candy mix, gingerbread, premixed vanilla icing, a decorator bag, and a set-up tray. The candy mix includes bottle caps, some sweet tarts, some nerds, and runts. Roll up your sleeves and put your construction skills to the test. And, even if you have never built anything in your whole life, this kit is so easy to use that you will be bragging after a few minutes.
The gingerbread kit comes with will give your ‘house’ the solidity it needs. The icing will keep the gingerbread house together effortlessly as it makes sure the yummy candy sticks to the house. Wonka Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit will give you the opportunity to spend a fun filled-time with your family as the whole family can take part in its construction. And, if you are single, that does not mean that you cannot have fun, does it? Get a box of Wonka Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit and enjoy some quality time by yourself. Better still, invite a friend. Even better still, invite a date and built something sweet together for this coming Christmas season.
- BrandGingerbread House
- Weight2.1 pounds
2
Juvale Gingerbread House Silicone Mold Kit
Next on our list is this Gingerbread House Silicone Mold Kit by Juvale. Whoever said building a gingerbread house is for kids only. Juvale’s gingerbread house silicone mold kit will challenge your gingerbread baking skills a little. But before you pull out your hair, it is actually not that difficult to make your gingerbread batter. However, when it comes to perfectly smoothing the gingerbread batter into the molds, that will require some practice. But it is nothing to run away from. One of the great things about Juvale’s gingerbread silicone mold kit is that once you are able to get some practice in making the gingerbread batter, you can use the silicone mold kit over and over again to make more gingerbread houses. A lot of attention has gone into the making of the silicone mold kit. This is because, not only do the silicone molds come with the six standard panels you need to make your gingerbread house, but it also comes with a snowman, a door, a reindeer with a sleigh, and lots of other decorations for your house.
The six gingerbread house panels come with the standard two pieces of front panels, two side panels, back panels, and a roof. However, you are at liberty to add your own colors of icing sugar and candies of your choice. Juvale Gingerbread House Silicone Mold Kit is made with a hundred percent food-grade silicone material. This makes it safe to use on food. Plus, it is also free from BPA, it is durable, flexible, and friendly on the environment. The mold panels are also easy to clean and non-toxic. Why would you opt for already-made gingerbread houses available in stores when you can make your own for less the cost?
- BrandJuvale
- Weight 5.3 ounces
3
Wilton Mini Village Gingerbread House Kit
Up next is this Build It Yourself Mini Village Gingerbread Decorating Kit by Wilton. Just as its name suggests, you can build your own gingerbread mini village with this gingerbread house kit. Wilton is not a new name when it comes to making some of the best gingerbread kits. In fact, it is considered by most people as among the best when it comes to making the best gingerbread house. Little wonder it has made it onto our review list of the best gingerbread house kits. Wilton’s gingerbread decorating kit comes with already baked gingerbread. If you have no idea how to bake or just hate the idea of baking, this should come as wonderful news. The kit comes with four separate sets of gingerbread house panels. The pack also comes with four different types of colorful candies, red and white icing sugar that are ready to use, decorating bags that are also disposable, cardboard bases, and tips. If you have never made a gingerbread house before, you have been covered.
This kit comes with a helpful instruction sheet backed by more decorating instructions online that are so easy to follow that your children can get on the act too. The gingerbread contains wheat, egg, and milk. It also contains green leaves made in Mexico. There are also gun drops covered in sugar made in Brazil. The pack also contains green and red confetti sprinkles made in China. But everything else in the pack is made in Canada. This gingerbread (if done properly) will give you gingerbread houses four inches in height and a little over three inches in width. It is recommended that the gingerbread houses are assembled three to four hours before the decorating is done to allow it enough time to dry.
- BrandWilton
- Model 2104-1972
- Weight 2.25 pounds
4
Frosty the Snowman Gingerbread House Kit
The final entry onto our list is the Frosty Snowman Gingerbread House Kit by Candy Crate. Do you love the frosty snowman? If yes, then chances are you will love Candy Crate’s Frosty Snowman Gingerbread House Kit. Frosty the snowman has become one of the traditional icons of the Christmas season. And, with this frosty snowman gingerbread house kit, you get the opportunity to make your own gingerbread house and add a yummy little ‘snowman’ to it, compared to the big and icy snowman that stands outside. This gingerbread house kit comes with a weight of eight hundred and twenty-two grams, which is the equivalent of twenty-nine pounds. Included in the pack are cookie pieces that have already been baked as well as already made icing sugar. Also included in the kit box are lots of tasty candies to use for decorating purposes and a lot of fun scene setters.
The box also comes with candy jewels, fruity gums, frosty gums, and a simple start tray. It also contains gingerbread panels already baked. If you are not used to baking stuff, then this will save you from the terror of attempting to bake your own gingerbread. The gingerbread is made with enriched wheat flour, invert sugar, sugar, palm oil shortening, salt, cocoa, cocoa processed with alkali, soy, ginger, eggs, whey powder, milk, leavening mix, milk, corn starch, and so much more. What this means is that you do not only have a tasty gingerbread house, but you also have a nutritious one. Candy Crate’s Frosty Snowman Gingerbread House Kit will give you an opportunity to spend some quality time at home with your family this yuletide. Plus, it is very easy to make. You can either send it as a gift to your neighbors or watch your kids devour it.
- BrandCandy Crate
- Weight2.4 pounds
Best Gingerbread House Kit Buying Guide
Features to Look for When Choosing the Best Gingerbread House Kit
There are several brands of gingerbread house kits available on the market. If you are not already used to purchasing a particular brand for the family or looking to purchase a gingerbread house kit for the first time, there are some features to take into consideration before making your choice.
- Type
There are basically three types of gingerbread house kits. The first type comes with already cooked gingerbread panels that you can assemble. The second type comes with an already assembled gingerbread house that is ready to go. The third type comes with silicone panels you can use to mold out your gingerbread house. But you will have to the baking yourself.
- Size
What size of gingerbread house do you want? The kits available on the market come in various sizes to choose from. The size of the gingerbread house you want to make should not necessarily be determined by the size of your household.
- Ingredients And Candies
There are several things to consider here. When it comes to the ingredients the gingerbread is made with; you have to be sure that you are not allergic to any of them. The ingredients are usually displayed on the packaging. Be sure you are comfortable with them before you make a purchase. The same rule applies to the several types of candies included in the pack.
- Design
Gingerbread houses are available in several beautiful designs. You can choose the one that appeals best to you. You can go for a simple design, or you can challenge yourself a little.
Different Types of Gingerbread House Kits
As mentioned earlier, there are basically three types of gingerbread house kits available on the market to choose from.
- Already Cooked Gingerbread
This type comes with already cooked gingerbread panels that you can assemble. You do not have to go through the hustle of baking your own gingerbread. All you need to do is to assemble the gingerbread panels following the instruction and add your decorative icing and candies. This type is relatively easy to make.
- Already Assembled Gingerbread House
As its name suggests, this type comes with an already assembled gingerbread house that is ready to go. Most of these types of gingerbread houses are available on display in stores. You do not need to do the building yourself. You simply buy it ready to go.
- Silicone Panels
This time comes with silicone panels you can use to mold out your gingerbread house. But you will have to the hard work of baking the gingerbread yourself. The silicone panels can be used and reused over again because they are washable.
Best Gingerbread House Kit FAQ:
What Is in a Gingerbread House Kit?
Most of the content available in a gingerbread house kit varies from brand to brand. However, most gingerbread house kits have a lot of things they share in common.
- Gingerbread
What is a gingerbread house without some gingerbread? A typical gingerbread house kit will have pre-cooked gingerbread panels. They come in different sizes.
- Premixed Icing
Premixed icing forms a huge part of the decoration of the gingerbread house. It also does a good job of holding the gingerbread together. The icing comes in different flavors and colors.
- Set-up Tray And Decorator Bags
The set-up tray is the platform on which the gingerbread will stand. A gingerbread house kit also comes with a decorator bag that contains different types of decorations.
- Candies
Every gingerbread house comes with yummy candies of different types, shapes, and colors. Bottlecaps and runts are part of the combination. There are also sweet tarts and nerds which are firm favorites for many.
Can You Eat Your Gingerbread House Kit?
The simple answer is yes. You can eat your gingerbread house kit. All the things that a gingerbread bread kit comes with are edible. This, of course, is with the exception of silicone panels and gingerbread cutters. Everything else is edible. A typical gingerbread house kit will contain gingerbread, some icing, and a lot of candies. However, it is important to note that because a gingerbread house is usually displayed for a period of time, it will begin to lose its freshness. This means that beyond some period of time, a gingerbread house may no longer be edible. This is for health reasons. So, if you want to eat your gingerbread house, do not keep it on display for too long.
Does a Gingerbread House Go Bad?
The answer to this question is a simple yes. There is a general rule of thumb. And, it says that your gingerbread house should not spend more than a couple of weeks on the display stand if it is intended to be eaten. However, there have been some arguments that a gingerbread bread house will still remain fresh even after a couple of weeks, depending on how it is prepared and how much icing is used. But, it is not advisable to take such chances on your health.
Gingerbread is like any other bread when it comes to its shelf life. It becomes stale pretty quickly. Gingerbread is usually considered fresh within two weeks of its preparation. Although a lot of the focus goes to the gingerbread when determining its freshness or otherwise, other parts of the gingerbread house should be taken into consideration. For example, spores and the accumulation of dust on the surface of the gingerbread can cause it to go bad quickly. Thus, how you store your gingerbread house is very important. This leads us to one more frequently asked question.
Where Do You Store Gingerbread Houses?
Although the refrigerator is a common option when it comes to storing gingerbread, it is not the best as the gingerbread can dry out quickly. The best place to store a gingerbread house is in the pantry. It should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the pantry or on the kitchen shelf. This will help it stay moist and fresh for a longer period of time than it will in a refrigerator. If you are planning to store it long term, your best will be in a deep freezer. However, it will lose its freshness over time, even though it will still remain edible.
Our Top Pick
We have reviewed the best gingerbread house kits available on the market. But only one stands out for us. Our top pick is the Wonka Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit. Here is a quick recap of the product. Wonka Gingerbread Cottage Candy Kit comes with a weight of two ponds. Included in its pack is gingerbread, half a pound of candy, premixed vanilla icing, a set-up tray, and a decorator bag. It also comes with a variety of candy mix that includes runts, nerds, sweet tarts, and bottlecaps.
Sources:
- Gingerbread Houses 101 - HowStuffWorks
- Simple gingerbread house - BBC Good Food