Gingerbread Hack: Build a Gingerbread House in 5 Minutes NO DRYING TIME & NO ROYAL ICING| ALL EDIBLE

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

For this tutorial, I really didn't have to use much! CANADIAN LINKS Materials Used: Gingerbread House Kit: amzn.to/2UzKOw7 Granulated Sugar: amzn.to/2Kf9aJL AMERICAN LINKS: Materials Used: Gingerbread House Kit: amzn.to/2Uz40u4 Granulated Sugar: amzn.to/2KagZQS *The above are affiliate links for Sweet Dreams Bake Shoppe. Any purchases through the above links will help support the channel at no extra cost to you :)

[@samantharichter524]

I have what can only be described as baking PTSD from trying to make a gingerbread house from scratch several years ago, because after all of my hard work the roof just would not stick. So this is the magic trick I've been waiting for. Thank you :)

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

😂I think anybody that’s tried to make a gingerbread house has experienced this!!! You will feel like it’s a whole new gingerbread world. Happy baking 💕💕

[@buddyholly4672]

Aww that sucks! Hope you can make a great house to replace that memory

[@taylorruss5904]

We are having a family gingerbread house competition tonight and I’m about to have a serious leg up on the rest! Awesome video

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Oooo yes. Definitely do not share 😂. If you want to have a real leg up-you should look up gingerbread clay (it’s pure gingerbread magic!)

[@gummywurmzzz]

Who won?

[@moniquebrown18]

Mind literally BLOWN! How have I not thought of this!

[@brendachristian582]

Dec2023, we just melted a cup of sugar , like this video does . OMG it works FANTASTIC !! Best hack ! Thank you ! 🎄

[@toniblackmore3016]

Magic! The hardest, most procrastination-making step of gingerbread houses just disappeared in a puff of yummy toffee. Thanks so much!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

When I learned this trick I started making MASSIVE gingerbread houses because it allows you to do so much!! Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season 🎄💕

[@dottyguynn9786]

I’ve used this technique the last couple of years. Totally lose my frustrations with the frosting method. This works so well!

[@sherriluba3087]

BEST TIP EVER!!! My niece and I used your sugar technique today and it was a God sent! I'm so happy I found this video. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You are so welcome!! When I discovered it I cried happy tears for sure and then I for real cried over the number of ours I spent propping things up with cans in the past 😆. Happy Holidays!!

[@AJVidsBC]

You just saved my weekend!!! Thank you!

[@stephaniemiller8229]

This hot sugar technique is GENIUS! Thank you SO MUCH!😘

[@zenkakuji3776]

So clever. Thanks for sharing. Of course with small children around, the hot sugar can be dangerous but the assembly can be done safely in advance. On the other hand, doing it slowly using icing with time to set allows for some magic moments with the kids and might introduce the concept to them that good things come to those who wait. This technique, however, is giving me some ideas on more ambitious projects. Thanks again 💙

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yes it definitely is a grown up assembly type thing! Happy baking 🥰

[@richcar3434]

Those magic moments in my house, consisted of frustrated little kids "cursing" and flinging splattered chunks of collapsed gingerbread at each other!😆...the careful application of melted sugar really helped bring the good magic back this year.

[@miscgloryofficial4527]

I haven’t yet Freire meringue powder for icing but three different types of royal icing homemade plus a store bought one were fairly useless at sticking mine together and after 4+ frustrating hours and still no success I don’t think I’d ever use royal icing of any type as the thing to glue it together - decorate yes, glue it together no way! ❤

[@Angel-lr2ki]

Thank you so much for this hack! Just made my first gingerbread house and this really made the process so much quicker and less stressful. Another good way to clean out your pot is to fill it with water and boil it until all the sugar has dissolved into the water. All around awesome tutorial. Truly can’t thank you enough!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay! It really was a game changer for me. Have a Merry Christmas, Angelica! 🎄💕

[@ellieporter3182]

I always use melted marshmallows with some extra icing sugar mixed in, never had any problem sticking one together. This probably looks a lot more neat though 😂

[@jaanal2644]

This is what we have always done in Finland. We melt the sugar on a big frying pan so that we can fit to DIP the edges into the sugar.

[@angeliquesabbatini5205]

Hi, have you tried painting it on with pastry brush . Or clean paint brush. Used only for baking

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

It will grab onto all the hairs and unfortunately!

[@MicheleMaBelle67]

The only way I’ve ever done it for almost 50 years. It’s delicious too.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

It’s the way to go!! 🥰

[@josuraya]

Just did this 5 mins ago! Had a broken piece in the box so this was a great fix. Thank you for the tutorial

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay! One time I had a whole giant roof cave in and the sugar technique fixed it in a snap I was so happy. Share your gingerbread creation with me if you want to @sdbakeshoppe :)

[@yvette.3075]

Made a gingerbread house from scratch for the first time this year. I used two methods to put it together. A video on Cityline used melted gummy bears, it worked but it had its challenges. So instead I used Julia Ushers royal icing "glue" and finally worked. Definitely going to try this method next year gingerbread construction.

[@LouieLouie505]

Good idea that works. I had a gingerbread house business 50 years ago, and this is what I did. It works like a charm . PS: this is simply a way of doing something. When did the word “technique” change into “hack”?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

When the algorithm prefers the word ‘hack’ over ‘technique’ 😉

[@candicemiller9498]

This is a life saver!!!! Thank you ❤️ Happy Holidays everyone!!! Be safe!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

💕🥰🎄

[@elisamelena2493]

Thanks for sharing ! I typically buy already assembled houses for my daughter because it's WAY easier for her (more fun to) but right now all stores are sold out.! About to use this technique literally right now ❤️❤️❤️

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay!! I hope it worked out for you! 🥰

[@musicaltroutmountainextrav3153]

Oh my gosh, this was the best tip yet- aside from dripping some molten sugar on my hand- may not be the most kid friendly method. This tip works like a charm. And the pan dissolved very nicely with just hot dishwater- easy clean up.Thanks!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Eek! Yes, been there!! I’m so glad it worked out for you though 🎄💕

[@Dagenhart]

I, too, ended up with molten sugar on 3 fingers. This after I lectured my teen about how we really need to be careful with it because of how it will continue to burn you until you get it off. But we tried the spooning method rather than the dip one side method. I have mixed feelings on this process because of the burns. I'm guessing it takes practice. Our house is lovely though!

[@mrsnitro32]

Yeesss! Thank you for this video! Finally I can have the elf on the shelf have gingerbread houses ready to decorate when my kid wakes up ☺️

[@maisiesummerfield265]

oh my days, thank you for this tutorial. The past five years my gingerbread houses have looked as if they have subject to the blitz - fallen down roofs and sides and not a good picture to present. Will be putting this hack to the test and really on reflection, sugar seems a logical glue, just never thought of it so many many thanks

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay! You’re so welcome

[@Leena79]

I live in Finland, and this is the most common way to assemble ginger bread houses here. It's fast and the result is super sturdy, but the hot sugar is not kid-friendly, so leave this to the adults.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Another commenter mentioned this too! I had no idea, but it’s the way to go for sure. And yes, definitely not kid friendly! Happy Holidays 💕🎄

[@Leena79]

@@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe Happy Holidays to you, too!

[@patriciaflores4535]

This is amazing! What a wonderful idea and thank you for sharing!!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You’re so welcome!

[@mirrormimi]

YOU ARE GENIUS!! I'll try this when making mini-gingerbread houses, last year was hell and I had to use 3 times the amount of icing I was planning to use.

[@sabrinaromo2405]

Why haven’t I thought of this!😭 so glad I found this video🥰 gonna be making gingerbread houses today with my cuñada and I’m gonna look like a genius when we put those houses together😂 thank you so much!❣️

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

When I discovered it I went on a gingerbread making marathon!! I hope it turns out well 🥰🎄

[@k__oo-m1g]

Such a great method! I'm constructing my gingerbread house today and I was worried about royal icing recipes requiring egg whites (an obvious risk) Very glad I can just use sugar instead :)

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You sure can! Also, if you ever do want to use royal icing on your gingerbread house, you can use meringue powder to get around the food safety issue with egg whites 😊🎄

[@mariabarrera5286]

Trying this technique thid year!! Can't wait

[@bernielove49]

I’m gonna try this tip thanks you I made my first gingerbread house with my niece last week and your so right the icing doesn’t hold wasn’t fun.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

I hope it works out for you 💕. The icing-especially the stuff that comes with the house-is the worst for sure!!

[@AnnaArvanitis]

That’s amazing! Have to try this Christmas 😊

[@roseacresfarmily]

This is such a good video. Thank you. 🙂 If you aren't going to eat your gingerbread, I like using hot glue....we made a log house with large pretzel sticks and hot glue and it was so pretty.

[@thebitewithcraigandtess3623]

This might be the best hack ever. Thank you for your beautiful mind!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You’re so welcome!!

[@LoriTheStory1]

Genius!! Thank you for this tip!!

[@fruitsandspiceschannel2235]

Thank God I found your video, 3 hours ago my gingerbread house roof colaps and slide...now I attached back perfectly.😊🎉🎉🎉🎉.Thankyou, you safe Christmas🎉😂❤

[@mariselabustillos9832]

Thanks so much for sharing and all the tips! Appreciate all the detailed information 🫶🏼

[@grantlockett9631]

Omg THANK YOU THANK YOU. Your really worked. I just finished using your method and my ginger bread house looks great. I AM SO PLEASED. TY TY TY 😊😊😁😚

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

So glad it worked out for you!! 💕🥰🎄

[@kathyberger6650]

This is a game changer!!!! Thank you for sharing!! Merry Christmas!

[@AnnaArvanitis]

That’s amazing! Definitely trying this Christmas ❤😊

[@stacieel1668]

Brilliant idea I will be doing this next weekend with the kids

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Sounds like fun!

[@didilinda88]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You are welcome!

[@starrwilson6818]

This is an awesome idea. I have so much trouble getting the icing to hold I just started using hot glue. Thanks!

[@nolitajohnson5169]

I want to use my house on top of a cake as a decoration. Can I get the gingerbread house off the cake board?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yes! It’ll pop off

[@georgelee7779]

Thank you so much, May God Bless you more 🥰😍

[@deanatriemer324]

I’m going to try this today! I am making a demo/test for a holiday offer in my new baking business!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You will not regret it!!!! It was a GAME CHANGER! Good luck 🥰

[@fruitypebbles803]

Thank you for saving my sanity! ❤️❤️❤️

[@jasmineslife41]

Great Idea.Video Right on time for this weekend coming. Me and my children are doing this!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Have fun!! 🥰

[@nikkipaulson76]

How cool!! Does it crack over time? Would this last a few weeks on a display house?

[@namestae]

Does anyone know what the ratio of sugar to water when mixing it in the pan? Thx

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Don’t use any water! Just use whatever amount of sugar you would like (start with about a cup) and it will melt down into liquid form :)

[@namestae]

Thank you for the clarification on that.

[@teresa-ux8db]

Is it a good idea to decorate the front, back and sides first? Or even the roof? Love love love this hack 💜💜💜

[@rebbecabanuelos5863]

You are my life saver!!!!

[@miscgloryofficial4527]

This worked amazing ! One thing tho, unfortunately in Australia 🇦🇺 it is summer at Christmas 🎄 😞 sad 😔 and so today it was 82f degrees so after being perfectly stuck for a few days I noticed blobs of the brown sugar blobs on the ground and also had melted into the royal icing on roof and sides of house and sliding down front of house (not too bad tho) It was however still extremely stuck/strongly affixed. I am guessing most of the European and USA 🇺🇸 peeps who are in winter won’t have this issue but just thought I’d share (no we don’t have air con either so hopefully it somehow stays cold to Christmas) Also too, ideally, I would get on a plane ✈️, arrive in a cold state in USA 🇺🇸 for Christmas 🎄 and just make a new one lol

[@john27609]

Brilliant idea!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

It’s one of my fave hacks for sure! 🥰

[@anselmoverissimo7512]

Thanks for the great hack.. 😊

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You are so welcome! Hope it worked out for you :)

[@kashmeseemangal4627]

Is that white sugar u melted miss

[@HelgatheHorriblez]

This was actually included in the instructions of my kit.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Oh that’s awesome! Never seen that shared in a standard kit. Happy baking 🎄🥰

[@sammiewilliams7967]

Excellent video! Thank you!

[@JsMomma7]

OMG!!!!!!!..... I gotta try this!!!!

[@katiek1856]

Hack: shave the edges of the gingerbread pieces with a grater (like what you use to grate nutmeg or cinnamon sticks with) to get the edges to fit better before building the structure

[@annashiegl]

Great tip thank you

[@raadiodaysyt]

How much sugar did you use with this house? And what temperature did you bring it to? Thanks!

[@ElpidaPasadaki]

you just melt sugar or you add water aswell?

[@Mike.w21]

Do you add water to the sugar ???

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Nope! It’s just like the dry caramel method where the sugar will melt down into that consistency. 😊

[@Mike.w21]

Sweet Dreams Bake Shoppe OK thank you

[@nale9934]

Thank you thank you so much. So quickly for my gingerbread house.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay!! That’s the goal. Have a Merry Christmas 🎄🥰

[@darlynegoo4251]

Hey this is a GREAT hot sugar hack! I will say tho... to be honest...I didn't find working with icing that bad...(and its super tasty!!). Christmas music playing int he background. I avoided the whole "propping things up" (yeah...that gets old...) by giving the icing time to set beforehand? You have a heavy candy you wanna stick to the front wall over the door? Apply your icing in the spot where the candy will go and leave it there to dry about 10 mins or longer and work on other less gravity intense parts of the house. As the icing dries (just like some glues need a little set time before sticking) it will get waaaay stickier. Once its dry enough (but not too dry! Or just add/mix in more wet icing) wedge in your candy and the thicker icing will hold it! Happy Christmas everyone! :-)

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thanks so much for your insightful comment, Darlyne. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas 🥰

[@klaraulmstedt546]

So you’re telling me that this technique is not normal?

[@feroxartem]

I was 5min from throwing my house in garbage 😂 but this hack worked great. Thank you

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay! I’m so glad you managed to salvage your gingerbread house!!

[@jennifer94954]

After I melt the sugar can I microwave it ?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

I would just place it back on the stove if it solidified too quickly!

[@Patricks109]

This saved the day! Trying to do this with the icing is a disaster!

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

So glad!! I've had so many incidences with royal icing fails. Have a very Merry Christmas!

[@elainawilliams9246]

we just use hot glue to put ours together.

[@andresazambrano7750]

Lol

[@buddyholly4672]

I guess most ppl dont eat it

[@elainawilliams9246]

@@buddyholly4672 no in fact we leave it out for weeks on end. Lol I think last year it was out for 3 months

[@theresaloots4937]

Then u can't eat it

[@--RSL--]

Ppl dont eat ginger houses anyway. Good idea

[@sissyb576]

Thank you!!!!!!!! This is brilliant!!!👏

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thanks so much!!

[@ElectricAngel181]

This is a Total Gamechanger !!! Thank you so much 💯❤

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You’re so welcome!! 🥰

[@amyleonard416]

Do you add water when melting sugar?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

No water-just pure sugar! 😃

[@christinezapalac9088]

If you have multiple houses to build, can you keep reheating the sugar if it gets hard again?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yes!!

[@futureofthekings3341]

I wonder if the melted sugar can be used for grahm cracker houses

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

It can be!

[@Clarky1951]

Just found your channel…awesome tutorials!! And what a awesome hack. I’ve seen the sugar/caramel trick before. Using a frying pan on top of the stove, where you dip in the gingerbread pieces. Too hot, too dangerous. So wondering, if you placed your pot of caramel on a heating pad, on low/medium do you think the caramel would stay consistently soft/runny and not go so hard so quickly while you assemble?

[@teriandjacob]

I wish I watched this video first 🙆 can I still use sugar for extra hold on top,,I just subscribed 👍

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You totally can! This melted sugar trick fixes all construction issues for me!

[@teriandjacob]

@@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe okay dumb question ⁉️ do you add water to your sugar

[@justine132]

This was a super quick easy way to glue all the pieces together. Unfortunately, my brown sugar also softened after a few days. Perhaps because I left it in the kitchen where a lot of vapor forms. It is also humid where I live. The roof slid off but the rest was still intact, so I reinforced it with royal icing. It's not pretty as the edges are both brown and white. It's still a useful trick!

[@dreedreeone]

Hello, is there a video on the Disney Gingerbread house ?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Sorry! I unfortunately didn't start filming videos yet at that point. Wish I had it on camera!

[@danielapagliaro8025]

Great tips, very helpful. Thank you.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You’re so welcome! 🥰

[@rithug]

I use compound chocolate. Works like a charm

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

What’s compound chocolate?

[@mrssandy9170]

@@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe Compound chocolate is also known as; Melting chocolate Coating chocolate melting wafers candy melts chocolate flavored candy coating coating chocolate

[@kaymoore5992]

Hi Ashleigh, I seriously want to try this, but I did not hear, see any measurements on this video...do I do a cup? 2 cups? Thanks in advance... Merry Christmas

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Hi, Kay! There are no specific measurements because you might need more or less depending on your creation. Start with 1 cup and see how you do! I think I used around 1 cup to build this small house. 🥰

[@amberl4401]

This is a good idea! I’m going try this next time. 🙂

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thanks! 🥰

[@Ac-ip5hd]

How much sugar do you cook?

[@pattiroberts2606]

I wonder if that would work on cardboard. In California all 5th graders are required to build one of the California missions. Always used royal frosting. Love your videos.

[@lillianroself]

love this. great idea.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thank you!

[@denisemcdougal6445]

I love your videos

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thanks so much, Denise!

[@the1socialmediadivafloyd470]

thank you so much

[@deathslayerable]

Can I use brown cane sugar for the caramel?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Ooo good question. I’ve never actually tried it. If you end up using it let me know how it goes! 😊

[@razlaynea]

Can you use the sugar on graham crackers??

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You sure can! 🍪

[@cathyrussell1519]

Love that I want to make one

[@littlelady3895]

So I get not everyone has this on hand, but wouldn't Isomalt work in the same manner? It's clear, and can be dyed with food coloring... I have a kit house someone gave me, I want to try this on... Wondering how hard it would be to cut the windows out??? Lmao sorry been in a creative mood lately

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yes isomalt works well too!

[@groovygroves22]

This helps me sooooo much!!! THANK YOU

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yay! You’re so welcome 🥰

[@davidmilesviers]

Thank you! I think I'm going to win the family gingerbread house making contest this year.

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Yes!!! That's always the goal!

[@batgosplat6690]

Is it bad if you breathe in the smoke from the burning sugar?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

If you do it right (and don’t leave it like I did 😂) you won’t have any issue with burning sugar. Breathing in any smoke is probably not good so I wouldn’t recommend it! Happy baking :)

[@batgosplat6690]

@@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe yea I kinda burned it didn’t know if it was toxic or not😅

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

@@batgosplat6690 you’re probably all good! I’ve burned plenty of sugar in my time :)

[@MortezaParkook]

Hi, thanks a lot, it’s really a hack. Can you add a notation where you’re heating the sugar, to tell how much the heat should be?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Sure can! Medium heat is fine on most heating elements

[@angielikitazz3142]

I love your tutorial 👍💕

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Thanks so much!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

Oh that’s really cool! Thank you! =)

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

You’re welcome, Phoebe!

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

😊

[@69Ford]

How much water added to the sugar

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

None! You're using a dry caramel method so you just melt down the sugar :)

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

This is a great hack! I never would have considered this as an option! Does the sugar in the pan cool slower than the “glue”?

[@SweetDreamsBakeShoppe]

Technically yes because it’s a larger mass and it stays in the pot which maintains the heat so it’ll stay liquid for a little while :)