Peppermint House

Step into the enchanting realm of the Peppermint House, a delightful and gluten-free alternative to the classic gingerbread house.

This creative project infuses the festive spirit with the sweet and refreshing essence of peppermint — perfect for those with Celiac, gluten sensitivities or anyone seeking a unique twist on the traditional holiday treat.

Get more Christmas inspiration — including Christmas recipes, holiday crafts and children’s activities.

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When my son was diagnosed with Celiac, it about broke my heart. I wasn’t sure how we were going to get through that first Christmas. It seemed like so many holiday memories were tied to food for him!

Besides the usual treats, we realized we couldn’t make our annual gingerbread houses like we used to.

While I did do research on baking actual gluten free gingerbread houses, gf baking was daunting! And failure for this kid was not an option.

I had seen folks make ornaments out of peppermints before – and I thought – why not a whole peppermint house?

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So, gather your peppermints, unleash your creativity and let’s embark on a delightful adventure of making a gluten free “gingerbread house.”

Where Are Gingerbread House From

The tradition of gingerbread houses originates from medieval Europe, particularly in Germany, where skilled bakers in the 16th century began crafting elaborate and decorative gingerbread displays.

Germany is often considered the birthplace of this tradition, with the practice of making gingerbread houses gaining popularity, especially during the Christmas season. The association of gingerbread houses with fairy tales, such as the Brothers Grimm’s “Hansel and Gretel,” further contributed to the tradition’s enchanting allure.

The concept of gingerbread houses spread beyond Germany to other European countries, becoming synonymous with festive celebrations.

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German immigrants brought the tradition to America in the 19th century, where it took root and evolved into a beloved Christmas custom.

Today, gingerbread houses are crafted and enjoyed worldwide, symbolizing the festive spirit and creativity associated with the holiday season.

When you’re done, keep the fun going with the characters in Children’s Gingerbread Books. And White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn is the perfect gluten free treat!

Also, try this recipe if you are dead set on baking your own Gluten Free Gingerbread House.

Supplies for Your Peppermint House

1. Gingerbread cookie cutters (house-shaped)
2. Peppermints (individually wrapped or in bulk)
3. Parchment paper (or a silpat baking mat)
4. Baking sheet

How to Make a Peppermint House

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the rack is in the center position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the peppermints from sticking to the surface.

Unwrap the peppermints if they are individually wrapped. If you have bulk peppermints, measure out the quantity needed for your gingerbread house.

Place the gingerbread cookie cutters on the parchment paper. Arrange the peppermints inside the cookie cutters, leaving a bit of space between each mint. The peppermints will melt and spread, so ensure they are close enough to form a solid structure.

Carefully transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the peppermints have melted together and formed a cohesive shape. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Once out of the oven, allow the peppermint gingerbread structure to cool completely. The peppermints will harden as they cool.

Gently remove the gingerbread house shapes from the cookie cutters. If they’re sticking, you can wait a moment longer for additional cooling or use a spatula to lift them carefully.

Now that you have your peppermint gingerbread pieces, assemble them into a house shape. You can use royal icing as “glue” to hold the pieces together. Decorate with more peppermints or other edible decorations as desired.

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Allow your gingerbread house to set and dry completely before handling or moving.

Note: These pieces can easily crack and break, so be gentle and patient removing them from the molds.

Also, I recommend NOT using the door piece from the cookie cutter set. It compromises the integrity of the front of the house and makes it more likely to break. We decided to just decorate a door onto our house.

Printable Christmas Fun!

Keep the fun going! Unwrap a delightful assortment of printable treasures that will add warmth, joy and learning to your Christmas celebrations.

• Minute To Win It Games
• Dear Santa Letter Coloring Page
• Christmas I Spy Games
• Santa Says Interactive Game
• Elf Coloring Pages for Kids
• Candy Cane Coding
• Christmas Charades
• December Mystery Puzzles
• Christmas Yoga
• No-Prep December Sensory Activities
• Elf on the Shelf Bingo
• Christmas Tic Tac Toe Game
• Christmas Tree Color by Coding
• Holiday Hats

So, dust off your printer and let the Christmas fun begin with our selection of delightful printables!