DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Featured in: Vegetarian & Plant-Based Grill

This kit offers soft gingerbread people, vibrant royal icings, and assorted candies arranged on a decorating board. Start by baking spiced gingerbread dough rolled and cut with cookie cutters. After cooling, use the royal icing colored with gels alongside candies like mini chocolate chips and sprinkles to decorate each piece creatively. Baking time varies for soft or crisp edges, while the icing dries hard for easy stacking. Perfect for festive gatherings to enjoy interactive decorating with family or friends.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:44:00 GMT
Gingerbread people piled high decorated with colorful royal frosting and candy toppings. Save
Gingerbread people piled high decorated with colorful royal frosting and candy toppings. | bitegrill.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 kit brings a joyful holiday experience inviting everyone to decorate gingerbread people creatively.

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, 3 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.)

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl whisk together flour ginger cinnamon cloves nutmeg baking soda and salt.
Cream Butter Mixture:
In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy Add egg molasses and vanilla mix until combined.
Form Dough:
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.
Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll and Cut:
Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes place on prepared sheets.
Bake:
Bake 10 12 minutes or until edges are set Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Prepare Royal Icing:
Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder Add water gradually to reach piping consistency Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
Arrange Decorating Station:
Arrange cookies bowls of icing and assorted candies on a large board or platter.
Decorate Cookies:
Invite everyone to decorate their own gingerbread people with icing and candies!
A festive DIY gingerbread people decorating board ready to create fun cookie designs. Save
A festive DIY gingerbread people decorating board ready to create fun cookie designs. | bitegrill.com

A wonderful family activity that creates lasting holiday memories full of sweetness and creativity.

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)

Close-up of a DIY gingerbread people kit: iced cookies and colorful candy decorations. Save
Close-up of a DIY gingerbread people kit: iced cookies and colorful candy decorations. | bitegrill.com

With these tips your gingerbread decorating experience will be fun and successful every time.

Recipe FAQ

What spices are used in the gingerbread dough?

The dough includes ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a warm, festive flavor.

How do I achieve the right consistency for royal icing?

Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder, then gradually add water until you reach a smooth, pipeable texture suitable for decorating.

Can I customize the colors of the icing?

Yes, the icing can be tinted with various food color gels such as red, green, blue, and yellow to match any festive theme.

How should I store the decorated cookies?

Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. Decorated cookies last best when displayed and consumed shortly after decorating.

Are there alternatives to meringue powder for royal icing?

You can substitute one egg white for meringue powder, ensuring safe handling practices to avoid contamination.

DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Festive board with gingerbread cookies, colorful icings, and candies for decorating fun.

Prep duration
30 min
Cook duration
12 min
Complete duration
42 min
Created by Ethan Walker


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

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 packed dark brown sugar
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

Method

Phase 01

Combine dry spices and flour: Whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Phase 02

Cream butter and sugar: Beat unsalted butter and dark brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until combined.

Phase 03

Form dough and chill: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Phase 04

Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 05

Roll and cut cookies: Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them onto prepared baking sheets.

Phase 06

Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Phase 07

Prepare royal icing: Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder until combined. Add water gradually to achieve piping consistency. Divide icing and tint with desired food coloring.

Phase 08

Arrange decorating station: Place cookies, bowls of tinted royal icing, and assorted candies on a large serving board or platter.

Phase 09

Decorate: Invite participants to decorate their own gingerbread people using the royal icing and assorted candies.

Tools needed

  • 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

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with healthcare providers if you're uncertain about sensitivities.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter). Some candies may contain nuts or soy.

Nutritional information (each portion)

These values are provided as estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 225
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 2 g