HomeFeaturesTried & tested: Gingerbread house kits
Tried & tested: Gingerbread house kits
Fun to make, beautiful to look at, delicious to eat… Gingerbread houses make for a great festive centrepiece, and more brands than ever are retailing kits to help you create one at home.
The delicious. team put eleven to the test – looking for clear instructions, hardworking icing, a variety of decorations and tasty gingerbread – to uncover the best bake-your-own and assembly gingerbread houses on the market.
The delicious. team put 11 gingerbread house kits to the test – looking for clear instructions, hardworking icing, a variety of decorations and tasty gingerbread – to uncover the best bake-your-own and assembly gingerbread houses on the market.
Fun to make, beautiful to look at, delicious to eat… Gingerbread houses make for a great festive centrepiece, and more brands than ever are retailing kits to help you create one at home.
The delicious. team put eleven to the test – looking for clear instructions, hardworking icing, a variety of decorations and tasty gingerbread – to uncover the best bake-your-own and assembly gingerbread houses on the market.
The delicious. team put 11 gingerbread house kits to the test – looking for clear instructions, hardworking icing, a variety of decorations and tasty gingerbread – to uncover the best bake-your-own and assembly gingerbread houses on the market.
Ingredient sachets were clearly numbered to match instructions and there was extra dough for (tasty) gingerbread biscuits. Simple enough for a child to assemble, with a generous selection of sweets for decorating. Would make a great gift.
Bonus kids’ review: “I like the variety of sweets and could pipe and assemble the house myself (with some help).”
This bargain kit delivers nicely spiced gingerbread, easily assembled into a basic house with gingerbread men, too. Icing is on the runny side, but piping bag is included, along with colourful dolly mixtures and mini chocolate beans.
Bonus kids’ review: “10 out of 10. It looks great and tastes great too!”
This kit produces firm, flavourful gingerbread that doesn’t spread while baking. Icing has good texture, piping bags are included and the red jelly beans are festive. Suitable for older children.
4th place
Sainsbury’s Gingerbread House Kit, £3 (total score: 50/70). Tested by Emma Hartfield, Eye to Eye Media managing editor, and her children Maya, 9, and Mabli, 5.
Clear instructions and helpful template on the box, but the gingerbread spread in the oven, making it tricky to fit together. Decent decoration provision with hundreds and thousands and jelly beans and the gingerbread itself is very tasty, with a nice bite. Bargain price, and well-sized for children.
Bonus kids’ review: “7½ out of 10. I found cutting out the templates a bit tricky.”
The most expensive of the bunch, but beautifully packaged and thought through, with extra piping bags and resealable sweets. Brilliantly pipeable royal icing and bright decorations let you create a true showstopper.
Total score: 55/60
2nd place
National Trust Gingerbread House Kit, £16. Tested by freelance sub editor Stephanie Thomson.
Handy slot-together sides ensure a robust house and there’s a silver cardboard base included too. Charming folk-art feel to design and decorations (includes marshmallow snowman head with biscuit bird perched on top).
Instructions are basic, and no piping bag included, but the house is easy to assemble. Creamy icing for decorating and a good selection of decorations, including little figures and a Christmas tree. Sizeable for the under-£5 price tag, and the Lebkuchen-style biscuit is moreish.
Bonus kids’ review: “7/10, because it doesn’t give you all the equipment needed, but it was tasty to eat, and the icing was good.”
