Gingerbread House Cake

5 from 2 votes

Create the cutest Christmas dessert with this easy Gingerbread House Cake! Start with a simple boxed mix upgrade, shape it into a house, and decorate with frosting and candy for a festive holiday treat.

Total Time55

Yield:

Author: Amy Locurto

Equipment

Piping bag with no. 12 round tip (white frosting)

Piping bag with no. 18 star tip (green frosting)

Optional small round piping tip for details

Calories: 582kcal

Ingredients

Cake

1 box Gingerbread Cake Mix
1 box vanilla instant pudding 3.4 oz
2 eggs
1 cup half and half or milk
¼ cup espresso or regular coffee
⅛ tsp ground ginger
⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
A few dashes ground nutmeg

Frosting

2 cans Cream Cheese Frosting
⅓ cup powdered sugar
Green food coloring gel
Red M&M’s
Peppermint candies
Candy bow

Instructions

Make the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Lightly spray a 9x12 rectangular sheet pan with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, mix cake mix, vanilla pudding, eggs, half and half, espresso, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Pour batter into the pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely in the pan.

Shape the Cake

Once cooled, flip the cake onto a cutting board.
Lightly sketch a gingerbread house shape on top (triangle roof with chimney + rectangle base).
Cut along the lines to shape your house. Save the trimmed pieces for mug cupcakes.

Make the Frosting

Add both cans of frosting to a mixer bowl.
Beat with powdered sugar until fluffy.
Tint 1 cup of frosting with green food coloring gel.
Add white frosting to a piping bag fitted with a no. 12 round tip.
Add green frosting to a piping bag fitted with a no. 18 star tip.
Refrigerate frosting bags until ready to decorate.

Decorate

Use white frosting to outline roof, windows, door, and trim.
Use green frosting for Christmas trees, garland, wreaths, or decorative accents.
Add M&M’s, peppermint candies, or a candy bow.
Chill the decorated cake until ready to serve. Place in room temperature 30–45 minutes before serving.

Notes

Espresso adds a subtle chocolately richness—use chocolate espresso for extra depth.
Store the cake chilled to keep the frosting firm.
Use leftover cake scraps to make mug cupcakes: add cake pieces to mugs, top with leftover frosting, add a gingerbread cookie, and dust with powdered sugar.

Plan To Make This?Please share if you do. Mention @LivingLocurto or tag #LivingLocurto on Instagram. We'd love to see!

Recipe Video

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cake, cake hack, christmas party food, cream cheese frosting, dessert, Gingerbread, gingerbread cake, sheet cake

Nutrition