The 10 Best Candies for Decorating Your Gingerbread House Like a Pro
If you’re new to the gingerbread house game, it can feel a little chaotic — especially when it comes to narrowing down the candy selection. “What can I use for a doorway?” you might say, as you stare blankly at the mile-long candy aisle. Or maybe you start to build and realize you didn’t grab anything to use for holiday lights. There’s an overwhelming number of sweet options out there, and without any sort of reference point it’s hard to know where to begin.
This list will help you skip the guesswork so you can walk into a store with a plan — or click and buy from the comfort of your couch. You definitely don’t need all 10, but just make sure you have the bases covered: Choose something for shingles, trim, and decor. Anything left over can be used to decorate cookies or put in a candy dish for guests throughout the season.
1. Necco Wafers
“Does anyone know what Necco Wafers are these days?” was the question I asked myself in my Great Gingerbread House Candy Search. I posted a picture of a roll on social recently, and the responses (for those in-the-know) were comical (“Wow, I haven’t seen those for years!”).
On the label, it clearly states “Since 1847,” so it may be the oldest candy on this list. For me, it’s certainly the most nostalgic. But let’s get down to business: No matter how you feel about these hard, chalky wafers, they are the perfect candy for shingles.
Buy: Necco Wafers, $14.99 for 6 (2-ounce) rolls at Amazon
2. Haribo Z!NG Sour Streamers Gummi Candy
Okay, so you plan on actually eating your gingerbread house once it’s complete and want something else for shingles? Option two: Haribo Z!NG Sour Streamers. Each package contains four colors of sugar-coated gummi strips, which are ideal for a single-color or rainbow roof.
The best part about these gummies is that they’re customizable — you can cut them to the size you need. They’re also great for siding, and can be sliced into thin strips to create a droopy pine needle effect.
Buy: Haribo Z!NG Sour Streamers Gummi Candy, $3.49 for 7.2 ounces at Instacart
3. Nerds Gummy Clusters, $2.59 for 5 ounces at Target
Is it really a gingerbread house if it doesn’t have gumdrops? Perhaps the most iconic candy for this seasonal project, gumdrops are easy to come by during the holidays and can be used for shrubs, walkways, and general house decor. There’s the classic sugar-dusted version, and shiny Dots are always available for a sleek look. This year I’m especially loving the craggy Rainbow Nerds Gummy Clusters. They might be the happiest candy on the planet.
Buy: Nerds Gummy Clusters, $2.59 for 5 ounces at Target
4. Brach’s Mini Peppermint Candy Canes
Also on the list of iconic gingerbread house candies are peppermints. When it comes to starlight mints, I’m partial to the green spearmints — they make the best wreaths. If you’re going the candy cane route, I recommend the mini version. The obvious use for candy canes is for flanking doorways and lining walkways, but you can also crush them and use the shards as rocks, or go wild and build your own Candy Cane Forest à la Buddy the Elf.
Buy: Brach’s Mini Peppermint Candy Canes, $3.19 for 35 candy canes at Instacart
5. Chocolate Rocks
If the goal is to make your gingerbread house more realistic, look no further than candy rocks (not to be confused with rock candy). I’m a huge fan of these multicolored chocolate pebbles. They’re perfect for making stone siding, a chimney, or walkways. I used these to make a little rock quarry for my son’s second birthday construction-themed cake, and he was convinced they were real. (Also, if you ever want to hide chocolate from your roommate/partner/kids, this is the way to do it.) These are real gems (yeah, I said it).
Buy: Chocolate Rocks, for $9.99 for 16 ounces at Nuts.com
6. Mini Starbursts
Starbursts have a chewy, pliable texture that makes it easy to mold and shape them into round balls, hearts, and even little stars. Their versatile building-like shape allows for tons of creativity in decorating a gingerbread house. You can use them as windows or decorative borders, or for lining a pathway.
Buy: Mini Starbursts, $3.89 for 8 ounces at Target
7. Jumbo Rainbow Twist Swirl Lollipops
Make an entrance statement! For a front-of-house wow factor, these twisty rainbow lollipops are a sure bet. You could also use them to line walkways or use one as a lamppost (they do come in a pack of six!).
Buy: Jumbo Rainbow Twist Swirl Lollipops, $14.99 for 6 (10-ounce) lollipops at Amazon
8. Rainbow Coated Candy Chips
Sometimes a gingerbread house needs some smaller candies for texture and interest, and for filling in the gaps. Rainbow Coated Candy Chips are a great option. They come in various colors that make the cutest holiday lights. Bonus: They come in a fairly large bag, so there’s plenty to snack on as you build.
Buy: Rainbow Coated Candy Chips, $19.99 for 16 ounces at Amazon
9. Pull ‘N’ Peel Twizzlers
The shoelace-like strings of Twizzlers’ Pull ‘n’ Peel candy are great for framing windows and doorways or trimming the entire frame of the house. They’re pliable, so they can bend around corners, and they can also be trimmed for a custom fit.
Buy: Pull ‘N’ Peel Twizzlers, $4.59 for 14 ounces at Amazon
10. Red Hots
Because it’s all in the details, it’s good to have multiple small candies on hand (so be sure to snag a few boxes). These tiny, cinnamon-flavored Red Hots can be pinned on wreaths to look like holly and are petite enough to make intricate designs. Plus, the warm spice will leave your house smelling like Christmastime.
Buy: Red Hots, $1.49 for 5.5 ounces at Instacart
Did your favorite make the list? Tell us about it in the comments.