DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

This festive gingerbread people decorating kit includes soft gingerbread cookies paired with colorful royal icing and assorted candies. The cookies are spiced with warm ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, baked to a perfect texture that ranges from soft to crisp edges depending on baking time. The royal icing is easily tinted with food coloring, perfect for piping designs and adding personal flair. Arrange cookies and decorations on a board to invite family and friends for interactive, creative decorating during holiday gatherings or cozy winter evenings.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:10:00 GMT
DIY gingerbread people decorating board, overflowing with colorful icing and candies, ready to enjoy. Pin It
DIY gingerbread people decorating board, overflowing with colorful icing and candies, ready to enjoy. | cedaroven.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 reminded me of joyful holiday afternoons spent with family decorating cookies and sharing laughs

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

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 350°F (175°C) 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 10 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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| cedaroven.com

This activity always brings out smiles and creativity in my family making holiday memories even sweeter

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

A close-up of the DIY gingerbread people decorating board, showing freshly baked cookies and festive toppings. Pin It
A close-up of the DIY gingerbread people decorating board, showing freshly baked cookies and festive toppings. | cedaroven.com

Enjoy decorating your gingerbread people and making festive memories with loved ones every year

Recipe FAQs

What spices are used in the gingerbread cookies?

The cookies combine ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to create a warm, festive flavor.

How can I adjust the cookie texture?

Bake for 10 minutes for softer cookies or up to 12 minutes for crisper edges.

What ingredients make the royal icing?

Royal icing is made with powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, then tinted with food coloring for vibrant decorating.

How should decorated cookies be stored?

Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.

Are there allergen concerns to keep in mind?

These include wheat, eggs, dairy, and some candies may contain nuts or soy, so ingredient labels should be checked carefully.

Can meringue powder be substituted?

You can replace meringue powder with one egg white, ensuring it is handled safely for consumption.

DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Soft gingerbread people with vibrant icing and candies ready for festive decoration and creative holiday fun.

Prep Time
30 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Overall Time
42 min
Created by Evan Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 12 Portions

Diet Preferences Vegetarian-Friendly

What You'll Need

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 such as mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops

How To Make It

Step 01

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

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.

Step 03

Form the Dough: Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture until a soft dough forms. Divide dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 04

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

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

Prepare Royal Icing: Whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water until icing reaches a pipeable consistency. Divide and color the icing as desired.

Step 08

Set Up Decorating Station: Arrange cooled cookies, bowls of colored icing, and assorted candies on a large board or platter for decorating.

Step 09

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

Equipment 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 Info

Review all items for potential allergens. If needed, ask a medical expert.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy.
  • Some decorations may contain nuts or soy; verify labels carefully.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Details given for reference only—contact your doctor for personal advice.
  • Caloric Value: 225
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 2 g