DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Featured in: Sweet & Savory Treats

This holiday activity features soft-spiced gingerbread cookies paired with brightly colored royal icing and assorted candies to create festive gingerbread people. Start by preparing a dough flavored with warm spices, then chill before rolling and cutting into shapes. Bake until edges are set, then prepare smooth royal icing with vibrant food colors. Arrange cookies alongside bowls of icing and decorative candies to invite everyone to creatively personalize their treats. The icing dries hard for easy stacking and long-lasting enjoyment, making it a fun and interactive addition to any celebration.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 10:43:00 GMT
Decorating gingerbread people: a festive board overflowing with colorful icing and sweet candies around the baked cookies. Save
Decorating gingerbread people: a festive board overflowing with colorful icing and sweet candies around the baked cookies. | nibbromeals.com

A festive and interactive cookie kit featuring soft gingerbread cookies colorful icings and assorted candies perfect for holiday gatherings or creative baking fun

This DIY board brings family and friends together for creative baking fun each holiday season

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Ingredients

  • Gingerbread Cookies: 2 3/4 cups (345 g) all-purpose flour 1 tbsp ground ginger 2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened 2/3 cup (130 g) dark brown sugar packed 1 large egg 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsulfured molasses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Royal Icing: 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar sifted 2 tbsp meringue powder 3โ€“4 tbsp water Food coloring gels (red green blue yellow as desired)
  • Decorations: Assorted candies (mini chocolate chips sprinkles candy eyes mini M&Ms gumdrops etc)

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Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl whisk together flour ginger cinnamon cloves nutmeg baking soda and salt
Step 2:
In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy Add egg molasses and vanilla mix until combined
Step 3:
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixing until a soft dough forms Divide in half flatten into disks wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour
Step 4:
Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) Line baking sheets with parchment paper
Step 5:
Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes place on prepared sheets
Step 6:
Bake 10โ€“12 minutes or until edges are set Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely
Step 7:
For royal icing whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder Add water gradually to reach piping consistency Divide and tint with food coloring as desired
Step 8:
Arrange cookies bowls of icing and assorted candies on a large board or platter
Step 9:
Invite everyone to decorate their own gingerbread people with icing and candies
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| nibbromeals.com

This activity always creates joyful family moments filled with laughter and creativity

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Required Tools

Mixing bowls Electric mixer Rolling pin Gingerbread people cookie cutters Baking sheets Parchment paper Cooling rack Icing piping bags or squeeze bottles Spatulas

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter) Some candies may contain nuts or soy always check ingredient labels

Nutritional Information

Calories 225 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 2 g per decorated cookie estimated

Freshly baked gingerbread people await decoration, next to bowls filled with vibrant royal icing and sprinkles for the fun! Save
Freshly baked gingerbread people await decoration, next to bowls filled with vibrant royal icing and sprinkles for the fun! | nibbromeals.com

Enjoy the fun of decorating and sharing these festive treats with your loved ones

Common recipe questions

โ†’ How do I achieve soft gingerbread cookies?

Bake cookies for about 10 minutes for a softer texture, then allow to cool completely before decorating.

โ†’ What spices enhance the gingerbread flavor?

A warm blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg adds classic holiday taste to the dough.

โ†’ How is the royal icing prepared for decorating?

Whisk powdered sugar with meringue powder and add water gradually to reach a piping consistency, then tint with food coloring.

โ†’ Can I substitute the meringue powder in icing?

Yes, one egg white can replace meringue powder but ensure safe handling and proper hygiene.

โ†’ How should decorated cookies be stored?

Once decorated and dry, store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.

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DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Interactive gingerbread cookies with vibrant icings and candies, ideal for festive holiday gatherings.

Time to prep
30 minutes
Time to cook
12 minutes
Overall time
42 minutes
Creator Ethan Cole


Level of difficulty Easy

Cuisine type American

Serves 12 Number of servings

Nutrition info Meatless

Ingredient list

Gingerbread Cookies

01 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 tablespoon ground ginger
03 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
10 1 large egg
11 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
12 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Royal Icing

01 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
02 2 tablespoons meringue powder
03 3 to 4 tablespoons water
04 Food coloring gels (red, green, blue, yellow, as desired)

Decorations

01 Assorted candies including mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops

Cooking steps

Step 01

Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.

Step 02

Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter with dark brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.

Step 03

Form dough and chill: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Step 04

Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to create shapes, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.

Step 05

Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 06

Prepare royal icing: In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar together with meringue powder. Gradually add water to achieve a smooth piping consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each with desired food color gels.

Step 07

Set up decorating station: Arrange cooled gingerbread cookies, bowls of colored royal icing, and assorted candies on a large board or platter for decorating.

Step 08

Decorate cookies: Encourage participants to decorate their gingerbread figures using the provided icing and candies.

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Kitchen tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Rolling pin
  • Gingerbread people cookie cutters
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Icing piping bags or squeeze bottles
  • Spatulas

Allergy details

Always check ingredients for allergens. Unsure? Talk to a healthcare expert.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter). Some candies may contain nuts or soy; verify ingredient labels.

Nutrition details per serving

Details are shared for reference only. Reach out to your doctor with any health questions.
  • Energy (calories): 225
  • Total fat: 7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 38 grams
  • Protein content: 2 grams

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