DIY Gingerbread People Board

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

This interactive kit offers soft gingerbread shapes ready for decorating with vibrant icings and assorted candies. Carefully spiced dough blends ginger, cinnamon, and cloves for a warm flavor. After rolling and baking, royal icing is prepared and tinted with food colors. Arrange cookies, icings, and candies on a board to create a fun, festive gathering activity. Baking and decorating times are flexible to achieve desired cookie textures, while storage tips help maintain freshness. Ideal for adding creative, hands-on enjoyment to holiday celebrations.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:42:00 GMT
A festive DIY Gingerbread People decorating board: colorful icings, candies, ready for holiday fun. Pin It
A festive DIY Gingerbread People decorating board: colorful icings, candies, ready for holiday fun. | plumbrine.com

A festive and interactive cookie kit featuring soft gingerbread cookies colorful icings and assorted candies perfect for holiday gatherings or creative baking fun.

I love gathering my family to decorate these gingerbread people together it brings so much joy and creativity to our holidays

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!
Freshly baked Gingerbread People cookies await decorating with vibrant royal icings and sprinkles. Pin It
Freshly baked Gingerbread People cookies await decorating with vibrant royal icings and sprinkles. | plumbrine.com

Decorating these gingerbread people has become a treasured family tradition that brings us all together every holiday season

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

Close-up of a DIY Gingerbread People kit, offering a delightful and hands-on holiday dessert experience. Pin It
Close-up of a DIY Gingerbread People kit, offering a delightful and hands-on holiday dessert experience. | plumbrine.com

Enjoy creating and sharing these delightful gingerbread people making every holiday moment sweeter and brighter

Recipe FAQs

What spices are used in the gingerbread dough?

The dough features ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to deliver a classic warm spice blend.

How long should the dough chill before baking?

It’s best to chill the dough for at least one hour, wrapped and flattened, to develop flavor and texture.

What is the ideal baking time for cookies?

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

How is the royal icing prepared and colored?

Whisk powdered sugar with meringue powder, gradually add water to piping consistency, then divide and tint with food coloring.

Can undecorated cookies be stored?

Yes, store them in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.

What tools are recommended for decorating?

Use piping bags or squeeze bottles, along with spatulas and cookie cutters, for ease and creativity.

DIY Gingerbread People Board

Soft gingerbread cookies paired with vibrant icings and candies for interactive holiday decorating.

Prep Time
30 min
Time to Cook
12 min
Total Duration
42 min
Recipe Creator Harper Quinn


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Output 12 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Meat-Free

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 dark brown sugar, packed
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 (mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops, etc.)

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream unsalted butter with dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.

Step 03

Combine Dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending until a soft dough forms. Divide dough into two disks, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 04

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

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

Prepare Royal Icing: Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder together. Gradually add water to achieve piping consistency, then divide and tint with desired food coloring gels.

Step 08

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

Step 09

Decorate Cookies: Invite guests to decorate their gingerbread people using icing and candies as creative toppings.

Essential Tools

  • 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

Go through every ingredient for possible allergens. If you’re unsure, please speak with a healthcare professional.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter).
  • Some candies may contain nuts or soy—verify ingredient labels before use.

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Nutritional content is for general reference—it's not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 225
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Protein: 2 g