Easy Pop Tart Gingerbread House - no kit required for this fun holiday idea! This post will show you how to cut Pop Tarts for gingerbread houses, how to make the candy stick to your gingerbread houses, and what candy is good for these Pop Tart gingerbread houses! This gingerbread house recipe with Pop Tarts is sure to be a new tradition for the holiday season!
For more easy holiday ideas, check out my Peppermint Espresso Martini, my Vegan Gingerbread Loaf Cake, and my Cinnamon Toast Crunch Popcorn Recipe!
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Pop Tarts Gingerbread House Recipe
This is the best Pop-Tarts gingerbread house recipe, a delicious alternative to using graham crackers or a store-bought gingerbread house kit! This Pop Tart gingerbread house is so easy to make with just TWO ingredients plus your favorite candy decorations!
This Christmas Pop Tarts house idea represents a new era of gingerbread house building -- the pop-tarts way! So much easier than traditional ginger bread houses. It's a fun holiday idea like my Christmas Cookie Cake, and this house would be an amazing focal point to a Christmas Charcuterie Board!
How do you make candy sticks to gingerbread houses?
It couldn't be easier -- use store-bought canned frosting! It's easy to work with and creates just enough of a sticky texture. Your house will stay together and your candy will stick to it nicely!
Pop Tart Gingerbread House Ingredients
There are only TWO base ingredients for this gingerbread pop tarts house recipe!
- Pop Tarts - or any store brand toaster pastries found on store shelves! I used strawberry pop tarts since the red and green sprinkles are perfect for the Christmas season, but check below for more pop tart flavors to try!
- canned white frosting - I use store-bought regular frosting which is such an easy option, but if you prefer you can make an easy icing with powdered sugar and water!
- candy toppings and decorations - this is the fun part! I used mini M&Ms, Christmas gumdrops, Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses, red icing, and mini marshmallows! I also dusted the whole scene with powdered sugar for a snowy white icing look!
Equipment
Luckily, you don't need too many tools for this delicious treat! I do recommend using a sharp serrated knife to cut your Pop Tarts cleanly for best results, as well as a piping bag and piping tip for decorating!
How to cut Pop-Tarts for gingerbread houses?
This is a process that benefits from being able to see it, so check out the video just below these step-by-step shots to help visualize how to make this Pop Tart Gingerbread House!
Place two Pop Tarts next to each other, one facing horizontally and one vertical. Using a serrated knife, carefully saw through the Pop Tart to make a cut leading from the edge of where they meet to the center of the vertical Pop Tart.
Repeat on the other side of the cut Pop Tart, creating a house shape. Make sure the bottom of the roof line lines up with the top of the horizontal Pop Tart! Repeat steps 1 and 2 with another Pop Tart to end up with two house shaped pieces and 4 whole Pop Tarts.
Spread a little bit of icing on the edges of the house shaped Pop Tarts and along the short edges of two of the whole Pop Tarts. You'll want to continue spreading icing on all parts of the Pop Tarts that are touching before you press them together.
Gently press together a "house-shape" piece and two horizontal pieces to create the front of the house and sides of your house. Add the back of the house in between the two sides of the house, remembering to spread frosting on all edges that will be touching.
Repeat with the two remaining whole Pop Tarts, which will serve as the two sides of the roof. Spread icing on all parts that will touch, then gently press the roof pieces in place without shifting other parts of the house. Let the assembled house sit for 1 hour to allow the icing to harden.
Use a piping bag to add more frosting along the roof line to create a snowy white icing look, and provide a sticky surface for your decorations!
Add decorations all over the house as you like, using frosting to stick them on.
Decorate the area around the house with powdered sugar and any other candy Christmas decorations you like!
Hint: begin assembling your Pop Tart gingerbread house in the spot you plan to display it, to avoid having to move it around and risk breaking it. You may want to use a cutting board or marble pastry board as a pretty place to show it off!
Were Gingerbread Pop Tarts Discontinued?
You can use any pop tarts (or store brand toaster pastries) you like for this Pop Tart gingerbread house. But to get that yummy gingerbread flavor, you can use the gingerbread flavor of Pop Tarts!
I've seen gingerbread Pop Tarts for sale in 2022, so I don't think they're discontinued! But if you can't find delicious frosted gingerbread pop-tarts, any flavor works perfectly! I used strawberry for the red, white, and green color combination. But Pretzel Pop Tarts, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, or S'mores would be a great option too. The best pop-tart flavor for this gingerbread house is whatever one you have on hand!
What candy is good for gingerbread houses?
The best thing about this Pop Tart gingerbread house recipe is that you can customize it however you like, with your favorite candies! Here are a few recommendations:
- M&Ms or other candy-coated drops - I used mini M&Ms to outline the roof of this Pop Tart Gingerbread House!
- Licorice or colored writing icing - to define edges and draw details. You can use Twizzler Pull-and-Peel, sour straws, or I used red glitter icing.
- Gumdrops or Necco wafers - I used Dots, but any gummy candy would be great!
- Marshmallows - use mini marshmallows or shaped marshmallows on the roof or around the "yard."
- Hershey's Kisses, mini candy canes, and sprinkles for finishing touches on the top edge of the roof or in front of the house!
Pop Tart Gingerbread House - Halloween Variation
You can use this same technique to make a Pop Tart haunted house for Halloween! Just choose a darker Pop Tart variation like chocolate Pop Tarts or cookies and cream. Then add your favorite spooky decorations, green or purple icing, and Halloween candies! What a fun way to celebrate spooky season!
Storage
To store your Pop Tart gingerbread house, double wrap it gently with plastic wrap at night and leave it in a cool, dry place. It should last up to a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of the time I'm writing this post, they're back! I found gingerbread Pop Tarts in 2022 at Target!
If you love this Christmas Pop Tart house, try my recipe for homemade Sweet Potato Pop Tarts! And for more fun holiday goodies, check out the 45 Best Cookies for Cookie Exchange + Cookie Exchange Ideas! So much fun during the holiday season!
Top tip
Make sure to let your assembled house sit for at least an hour to allow the icing to harden before adding decorations!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
- pastry bag and tips
Ingredients
- 6 Pop Tarts - or other shelf-stable toaster pastries
- white or vanilla frosting - canned
- candy decorations - as desired
Instructions
- Place two Pop Tarts next to each other, one facing horizontally and one vertical.6 Pop Tarts
- Using a serrated knife, carefully saw through the Pop Tart to make a cut leading from the edge of where they meet to the center of the vertical Pop Tart.
- Repeat on the other side of the cut Pop Tart, creating a house shape. Make sure the bottom of the roof line lines up with the top of the horizontal Pop Tart!
- Repeat steps 1-3 with another Pop Tart to end up with two house shaped pieces and 4 whole Pop Tarts.
- Spread a little frosting on the edges of the house shaped Pop Tarts and along the short edges of two of the whole Pop Tarts. You'll want to continue spreading icing on all parts of the Pop Tarts that are touching before you press them together.white or vanilla frosting
- Gently press together a "house-shape" piece and two horizontal pieces to create the front of the house and sides of your house. Add the back of the house in between the two sides, remembering to spread frosting on all edges that will be touching.
- Add the back of the house in between the two sides, remembering to spread frosting on all edges that will be touching.
- Repeat with the two remaining whole Pop Tarts, which will serve as the two sides of the roof. Spread icing on all parts that will touch, then gently press them in place without shifting other parts of the house.
- Let the assembled house sit for 1 hour to allow the icing to harden.
- Use a piping bag to add more frosting along the roof line to create a snowy white icing look, and provide a sticky surface for your decorations.
- Add decorations all over and around the house as you like, using frosting to stick them on.candy decorations
Video
Notes
- M&Ms or other candy-coated drops - I used mini M&Ms to outline the roof of this Pop Tart Gingerbread House!
- Licorice or colored writing icing - to define edges and draw details. You can use Twizzler Pull-and-Peel, sour straws, or I used red glitter icing.
- Gumdrops - I used Dots, but any gummy candy would be great!
- Marshmallows - use mini marshmallows or shaped marshmallows on the roof or around the "yard."
- Hershey's Kisses, mini candy canes, and sprinkles for finishing touches!
Nutrition
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This Pop Tart Gingerbread House is pure holiday magic! The result is a show-stopping centerpiece that not only looks impressive but is also a joy to devour. A must-try for anyone looking to add a sprinkle of fun and flavor to their holiday celebrations!
Kim says
What a fun idea! I love it so much! I can't wait to try this with the kids!
Patricia says
This is so fun! What a great idea to use Pop Tarts!! I can't wait to make a special house with my little niece. Loving this!
Casey says
What a cute idea! I really dislike gingerbread and this is so smart!
Chenée Lewis says
It's perfect for you! 🙂
Tara says
Oh wow! Such a fun and easy project for the holidays. My daughter would absolutely love this.
Sandra J says
I would love to do this craft with the kiddos. What are the measurements of the completed poptart house? I want to order cake boxes so that they can easily take their craft home. Thanks in advance.
Chenée Lewis says
I'd estimate that it's about 4 inches wide by 8 inches long and 8 inches tall. Hope that helps!
Tayler says
This is such a fun idea! Definitely making with my kids this weekend- thanks for sharing!
Chenée Lewis says
Yay! Hope you all loved it!
Andrea says
What a fun and creative idea. My grandkids are going to love making these with me.
Chenée Lewis says
Wonderful! I hope you have a blast!
Jen Vinuya says
Such a fun treat for the kids and the whole family!! Great idea!!
Chenée Lewis says
Thanks! Hope you like it!
Suja md says
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so good!
Chenée Lewis says
So glad you liked it!
Luci Petlack says
This looks so fun and easy! Definitely making it this season!
Chenée Lewis says
It's such an easy holiday idea!