A Year of Gingerbread Houses: Making & Decorating Gingerbread Houses for All Seasons

by Kristine Samuell

Nothing's more enticing for any holiday or special occasion than an awesome, lusciously decorated gingerbread house. With designs for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and birthdays, these exquisite projects include a cottage, chalet, and two-story house. Options as customized windows, doors, chimneys, paths, trees, topiaries, and even lighting add to the charm. More than 200 helpful step-by-step process shots; informative sections on tools, techniques, and components; and patterns, piping templates, and tips on baking, assembling, and troubleshooting assure magical results.

Genres: Cookbooks, Christmas, Nonfiction, Holiday, Cooking, Crafts, Food

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2015

Reviews

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to give 5 stars. We earned first place using techniques learned from this book! Yay!!

I wish I could post a picture of the gingerbread house we made with help from this book.
Would have given 5 stars, I really like the way this book is organized - just didn't appreciate the comment about not needing special tools and then the pictures showing special tools were used... uh...
Waiting right now to see how we do at the competition. Fingers crossed!!

[Liana Kreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the holidays, I like to look at craft books with over-the-top creativity. Christmas eye-candy is irresistible, particularly when combined with the idealism of the new year, when one (unrealistically) vows to make ALL the things...

This book is gorgeous and well-laid out, convincing you that - yes - you could churn out a gingerbread masterpiece, despite the fact that it would cost a small fortune in candy and time, and that no one ever actually wants to eat these things. Lol, that said, I am bookmarking this title at the library for next year, because fantasy is an important part of my Christmas traditions.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instructions for six gingerbread houses, including recipes for dough and icing, templates, photos of the finished projects, and photos of possible variations for windows/doors/fireplaces/walkways/roofs. The six houses are Haunted Hideaway (Halloween), Kari’s Ski Cabin, Louisa’s Bakery, Winter Wonderland, Sweet Retreat (Valentine’s Day), and Birthday Picnic. So actually still mostly for Christmas or Winter and not really all year round.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

so many adorable ideas.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better gingerbread books I’ve looked at. Loved that there were homes decorated for different times of the year. Great pictures!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, full of ideas for making gingerbread houses.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously gorgeous and intricate gingerbread houses. I wanted to eat them all.

[SilverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos to go along with directions. Well written but would have liked to see more examples but not necessarily have detailed directions. Example the Halloween house directions for the one but pictures of more for inspiration.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and detailed book on gingerbread houses an how to make them as well as many different variations and patterns.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristine Samuell blew me away with her attention to detail. This work definitely goes above and beyond slapping pieces of gingerbread together, it shows people how to create delicious masterpieces.

[Sandybear76]

only houses for holidays/celebrations

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for someone who know what they are doing
sucks for a beginner