Making a gingerbread house is one of the most fun holiday traditions, and choosing the right candy can really make your holiday house shine. In this guide, we’ll share the best candies for gingerbread houses.

You’ll also get decorating ideas to use those candies in creative ways. From colorful roof shingles and whimsical walkways to fun lamp posts and candy windows, the right treats make all the difference.

We’ll show you how to pick gingerbread decorating candy that looks great, holds up well, and brings your gingerbread creation to life.

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Classic candies for gingerbread houses

Some candies never go out of style when it comes to gingerbread house decorating. These classic favorites are easy to use, hold up well, and instantly give your holiday creation a festive look.

Gumdrops: Attach gumdrops to the top of cake pop sticks to create instant lamp posts. Line the roof with them to make it really pop!
Candy canes: These are ideal for porch supports, fences, and roof edges. They can be used whole or cut to size. Use the rounded pieces of two candy canes to make wreaths.
Ribbon candy: Bright and colorful to add a festive flair. Stack these to make trees, or use them for decorative borders.
Striped gum: They make colorful roof shingles or striped accents.
Butterscotch candies: Old-fashioned and golden, they make lovely windows and walkways.
Spice drops: A holiday classic! Their rich colors and sugary coating make them perfect for borders, garlands, and roof edges.
Necco wafers: This classic candy is perfect for making roof shingles for your gingerbread house.
Peppermints: These Christmas candies can be used to decorate roofs and make colorful walkways.
M&Ms: Colorful and versatile, these candies are great for roof shingles, pathways, and creating playful patterns.

Here are a few gingerbread designs showing the use of some of the classic candies:

Creative and unique candy ideas

These gingerbread house candy decorations add flair, color, and some unexpected visual interest. They are great for making your house really stand out.

Sour candies: Flexible for creating bright, whimsical shapes. They add a fun contrast to your gingerbread house and make a wonderful roof.
Sixlets or Skittles: Perfect for decorating rainbow roofs, and making walkways or candy borders for visual impact.
Licorice strings: Use these to frame windows, to decorate a picket fence, or as roof trim.
Chocolate rocks: These realistic-looking rock candies are perfect for making walkways, chimneys, and stone siding.
Jelly beans: Add texture and color to your gingerbread house with jelly beans. Use them in walkways, as roof accents, or in gardens.
Fruit slices: Soft and pliable, use these soft candies to create flexible decorations for the front of your gingerbread house.

See how to use some of these gingerbread house unusual candy ideas in the holiday houses below.

Budget-friendly candies for gingerbread houses

These candies are affordable and yet festive; they work well for filling in gaps or adding accents without breaking the bank.

Chocolate chips: These budget-friendly chocolate pieces add texture to roof trim and are great for creating a cobblestone pathway.
Miniature lollipops: Use them as trees, lamp posts, and other playful vertical accents.
Sprinkles: Add pops of color to your house, or use them as “candy lights”. They come in many colors and shapes, including snowflakes.
Smarties: These inexpensive candies add soft color to roofs, walls, and walkways without overpowering brighter candies.

Candy for decorating gingerbread houses to add special features

Small candies, those with interesting shapes, or unusual candies can help you create miniature features and fine details.

Marshmallow snowmen: Add them outside the house’s door as wintry “visitors”.
Tiny candy beads or pearls: They are ideal for delicate fence posts, window frames, or edging.
Fruit-flavored hard candies: Melt these in the oven, then score while still warm and use them to create “stained glass” windows. Whole candies can be used to create decorative roof details.
Miniature peanut butter cups: Place them on the roof’s pitch to add height and texture.
Reindeer corn: This festive red, white, and green version of Halloween candy corn adds a pop of color wherever you place it.
Christmas ring pops: These come in Santa Claus, snowman, and Christmas tree figures and are adorable for decorating outdoor areas.
Red-hot candy: These mini candy pieces are perfect for adding berries to a wreath for your gingerbread house.
Gummy bears: These cute candy pieces can be used as “visitors” for your candy house.
Sanding sugar: Sprinkle this on royal icing to create sparkling snow and frosted effects.

Here are a few ideas about how to put these candies to use in your gingerbread house.

Creative extras that aren’t candy (but look amazing!)

While candy is the star of a gingerbread house, a few other edible materials can add realistic texture and detail to your design.

Stick, rod, and twist pretzels: Use them to make chimneys, fences, or add interesting log cabin accents.
Shredded coconut: Add this to your roof or anywhere you would like to add the look of snow.
Chex cereal of Shredded wheat: These create realistic-looking shingled roofs and make wonderful walkways.
Slivered almonds: Coat these in frosting and coconut flakes; they make curved shingles for a realistic roof texture.
Cinnamon sticks: These made great “wood piles” outside your gingerbread house.
Ice cream cones with green frosting: Tint royal icing and then pipe star shapes onto the cones to make lovely Christmas trees.
Chocolate wafer rods: Place them side by side to make doors, or to give the house a log cabin effect. They can also be cut and made into fence posts.
Sprigs of fresh rosemary: For a realistic thatched roof effect, add sprigs of rosemary to your roof area. It is fragrant and adds a natural touch.
Mini marshmallows: Perfect for piles of snow, adding texture to the roof, or surrounding the lawn area.

Here is now to use some of these non-candy elements on your gingerbread house.

🛒 Shop the gingerbread house decorating candy

Some candies are easy to find at your local store, but a few specialty treats can make your house look extra festive. Here are my top recommendations:

Ribbon candy – This hard-to-find candy will add an instant wow factor to your design.
Necco wafers – A classic but not always in stores. You can get them online.
Holiday ring pops – Seasonal and fun, these Christmas ring pops make delightful decorations that the kids will love.
Marshmallow snowmen – You can make your own, or grab Peeps snowmen on Amazon.

Tip: Buying online can be easier for specialty shapes, hard-to-find candy, specialty shapes, or larger quantities — especially if you’re decorating multiple houses or hosting a holiday gingerbread party.

List of candy for gingerbread houses

Plan your perfect gingerbread house with this printable list of classic, budget-friendly, decorative, and creative candies. Cross off what you have—and get inspired with new candy ideas! You can print out the PDF version here.

Tips for using and storing candy for decorating

Not all treats are considered equal when it comes to holding up walls, roofs, and walkways—and keeping them fresh until decorating time is important. Here are some tips for choosing and storing candy.

Choosing candies

Pick candies that will hold their shape. Avoid overly soft or sticky candy that may melt or sag.
Consider the size. Small candies are perfect for details; larger candies are good for structural or decorative accents.
Choose colors wisely. Coordinate candy colors in your design so they complement each other.
Edible vs non-traditional accents. Herbs like rosemary or small fondant figures add realistic and creative touches.

Storing candy

Keep soft candy in airtight containers to prevent moisture from softening the candy.
Store chocolates in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use them.
Keep gummies and marshmallows away from the heat.
It helps to label your containers by category (roof, walls, accents) to make building easier

Frequently asked questions about gingerbread house candy

Do you still have questions about how to use, store, and get creative with your candy? This FAQ section answers some common questions and offers helpful tips.

1. Can I use candy that is not specifically for decorating gingerbread?

Yes, small cookies, cereal pieces, fresh herbs, and edible beads all add texture and interest. Just make sure they’re safe to eat and sturdy enough to hold up on your house.

2. Can I prepare the candy decorations ahead of time?

Absolutely! Store them in airtight containers or on trays in a cool, dry place. Avoid soft candies in humid areas, since they can stick together.

3. Are there alternatives to candy for creative accents?

Non-candy options, such as fondant, pretzels, slivered almonds, and ice cream cones, can all be used to create realistic-looking holiday figures, roof shingles, and trees.

4. How do I attach small or delicate candies?

Use a dab of royal icing. For very tiny pieces, tweezers are helpful to place them precisely.

5. What is the best way to make candy windows?

Melt hard candies on silicone sheets in the oven. While still warm, cut with a pizza cutter to fit the window opening. Attach with royal icing.

More gingerbread inspiration

Looking for more ideas, tutorials, and holiday fun? Check out these posts for additional tips on making, decorating, and enjoying gingerbread treats.

Gingerbread house tutorial: Start to finish. See how I put many of these candy decorations to use in my family’s gingerbread house project.
Gingerbread house tips: Packed with practical decorating advice and clever tricks to make your gingerbread house look professional.
Gingerbread dough recipe: Want to make a house from scratch? This recipe bakes sturdy gingerbread pieces for all your gingerbread candy decorations.

Share these gingerbread house candy ideas on X

If you enjoyed learning about candy to decorate gingerbread houses, why not share this guide with a friend? Here is a post to get you started:

✨ Decorating a gingerbread house? 🍬 Discover the best candies to make your holiday creation shine! From gumdrops to candy canes, these sweet ideas will inspire your next masterpiece. 🏠🎄👉Get the tips on The Gardening Cook.… Share on X

Pin these ideas for candy to decorate gingerbread houses

Would you like a reminder about the best candies for gingerbread houses? Pin this image to one of your Christmas boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

You can also watch this YouTube slideshow video about the best candies for gingerbread houses!

Yield: 1 gingerbread house candy checklist

Gingerbread House Candy Checklist (Printable List)

Print this checklist of the best candies for gingerbread houses before you shop. It includes classic, budget-friendly, decorative, and creative candies for your gingerbread house.

The list is perfect for gingerbread house decorating parties.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

Pen
Computer paper

Tools

Computer
Printer

Instructions

Load your paper into your computer printer.
The print function of this card prints the gingerbread candy checklist, which fills about 3/4 of an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper.
To change this size, choose portrait layout and, if possible, "fit to page" in your settings. Doing this will print a list of candy for gingerbread houses that fills the entire page.
Alternatively, you can use this link to print the PDF version of this gingerbread house decorating candy list in your browser window.
After you print the list of candy for gingerbread houses, cross the candies off as you make your shopping list.
Please note: Free printables like this gingerbread house candy checklist take a long time to make. This list is for personal use only. If you are sharing this checklist (and thank you for that!), please link directly to this post and not to the actual printable. We appreciate your help in supporting the site. This free candy printable may not be used for any retail purpose or for mass distribution.

Notes

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