DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Featured in: Cozy Winter Bakes

Create festive gingerbread people by baking soft spiced cookies and decorating them with vibrant royal icing and assorted candies. This easy and engaging board encourages creativity and is perfect for holiday gatherings. Prepare the dough with warm spices, bake until tender, and use colorful icings to bring each cookie to life with fun designs. Ideal for family baking fun and seasonal celebrations, the decorating board offers a delightful, interactive experience for all ages.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:01:00 GMT
An inviting DIY Gingerbread People decorating board: frosted cookies await festive candy toppings. Save to Pinterest
An inviting DIY Gingerbread People decorating board: frosted cookies await festive candy toppings. | frostkettle.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 board encouraged creativity and joy during our holiday family baking time

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
A colorful photo of the DIY Gingerbread People decorating setup includes icing and candy ready for fun. Save to Pinterest
A colorful photo of the DIY Gingerbread People decorating setup includes icing and candy ready for fun. | frostkettle.com

This decorating board brought smiles and laughter as we customized cookies together

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

Get ready to decorate sweet DIY Gingerbread People; a delicious baking activity for all ages. Save to Pinterest
Get ready to decorate sweet DIY Gingerbread People; a delicious baking activity for all ages. | frostkettle.com

Enjoy this fun and festive recipe that inspires creativity and togetherness

Recipe Questions & Answers

What spices are used in the gingerbread cookies?

The cookies include ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a warm, classic flavor.

How long should the dough chill before baking?

Chill the dough for at least one hour to firm up for easier rolling and cutting.

How can I make the cookies softer or crisper?

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

What ingredients are in the royal icing?

The royal icing is made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water, tinted with food coloring.

Can I use egg white instead of meringue powder in the icing?

Yes, you can substitute 1 egg white for meringue powder but ensure safe handling of raw eggs.

DIY Gingerbread People Decorating

Interactive gingerbread people kit featuring soft cookies, vibrant icings, and assorted candies for holiday fun.

Prep Duration
30 minutes
Time to Cook
12 minutes
Overall Time
42 minutes
Created by Nora Whitman


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 12 Serving Size

Dietary Information Meatless

What You 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 including mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops

How-To Steps

Step 01

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract; mix until fully incorporated.

Step 03

Form Dough and Chill: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending until a soft dough forms. Divide dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Step 04

Prepare for Baking: 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 a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 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 wire rack to cool completely.

Step 07

Prepare Royal Icing: Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Gradually add water to reach piping consistency. Divide icing into portions and tint with desired food coloring gels.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Decorate Cookies: Invite participants to decorate each gingerbread person using the icings and candies provided.

Tools You'll Need

  • 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 every ingredient for allergens. Ask a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter).
  • Some candy decorations may contain nuts or soy; verify ingredient labels before use.

Nutrition Details (Each Serving)

Given for informational purposes, this isn't medical advice.
  • Energy Value: 225
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 2 g