Gather gingerbread dough, royal icing, cardboard or a sturdy base, candy decorations, and a piping bag
Print or draw a house template for walls, roof panels, door, and windows
Roll out the gingerbread dough evenly
Cut out the house pieces using the template
Bake the pieces until firm
Let all pieces cool completely
Prepare thick royal icing for assembly
Pipe icing along the edges of the base and attach the walls
Hold the walls in place until the icing sets
Pipe icing along the top edges of the walls
Attach the roof panels and support them until firm
Add the chimney, if using, with icing
Pipe icing around seams to reinforce the structure
Attach the door, windows, and other cutout details
Decorate with candies, sprinkles, and icing designs
Let the finished house dry completely before moving it