Gingerbread House Template Printable
A free gingerbread house template at any size, with measurements on every piece. Choose a size or type your own, add a chimney, then print the pieces at real size on Letter or A4 paper.
Quick answer: for the classic house, cut two side walls 7 × 4 in, a front and back wall 5 in wide that rise to a 7 in peak, and two roof panels 8½ × 4⅝ in. All six pieces fit on two half-sheet pans.
Pages to print
Print at 100% (Actual size). Check the 1 inch square on the template with a ruler before cutting.
How to make the gingerbread house
- Print and cut the paperPrint at actual size, cut each piece out, and tape together any piece that spans two pages.
- Roll, cut, chillRoll the dough about ¼ inch thick on parchment, lay the paper pieces on top and cut around them. Chill the cut pieces for 15 minutes so they hold their shape.
- Bake and trimBake until firm at the edges, then lay the paper back on and trim straight away while the gingerbread is still soft. Cool the pieces flat.
- Build the wallsPipe stiff royal icing along the bottom and side edges. Stand the front and a side wall together, prop them with cans, then add the other two walls. Leave for an hour.
- Add the roofIce the top edges of the walls and the ridge, press both roof panels on and hold for a few minutes. Let it set for several hours before decorating.
Measurements of the three preset sizes
| Size | Side walls (cut 2) | Front and back | Roof (cut 2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 4½ in × 3 in | 3½ in wide, 5 in to the peak | 5½ in × 3⅛ in |
| Classic | 7 in × 4 in | 5 in wide, 7 in to the peak | 8½ in × 4⅝ in |
| Large | 9 in × 5 in | 7 in wide, 9 in to the peak | 11 in × 6⅜ in |
The roof panel is longer than the house by the overhang at each end, and its depth is the slope of the roof plus the overhang at the eave. Change any number in the tool above and every piece is recalculated, including the chimney cut to your roof angle.
Questions
What size should a gingerbread house be?
The classic size is 7 inches long, 5 inches wide and 4 inches to the eaves, with a 3 inch peak: big enough to decorate, small enough to bake on two half-sheet pans. The small preset (4½ × 3½ inches) suits kids; the large one (9 × 7 inches) makes a table centrepiece but needs about 70% more dough than the classic.
How do I print the template at the right size?
Press Print, then set the scale to 100% or "Actual size" (not "Fit to page"). Measure the 1 inch square printed with the pieces using a ruler. If it is not exactly 1 inch (2.54 cm), the printer shrank the page.
What if a piece is bigger than my paper?
The template splits it across several pages and labels each part with its row and column. Trim the margin on one side, line the outlines up and tape the parts together before you cut the dough.
How do I use a paper template on gingerbread dough?
Cut the paper pieces out, lay them on the rolled dough and cut around them with a sharp knife. Many bakers roll and cut directly on baking parchment so the pieces don't stretch when moved. Trim again straight out of the oven while the edges are still soft, because gingerbread spreads a little.
How thick should I roll the dough?
About ¼ inch (6 mm). Thinner walls bake crisper but break more easily; thicker walls need longer in the oven and make the corners harder to line up.
Why do the roof panels overhang?
The overhang lets the roof cover the top of the wall pieces and gives icing and candy somewhere to sit. Set it to 0 if you want the roof flush with the walls.
What does the chimney option add?
Four small pieces: the bottom of the two side pieces is cut at the same angle as your roof, so the chimney sits level on the slope. Glue it on last with stiff royal icing.
Does the template include a door and windows?
Yes, as dashed lines inside the front and side walls. Cut them out before baking for see-through windows (fill them with crushed boiled sweets for stained glass), or leave them as a guide for piping.