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Great Lakes Baking Co. Takes the Crown as Best Gingerbread House Kit

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/05 .. kes-the-crown-as-best-gingerbread-house-kit.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 17:58 GMT by Food & Wine

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The Ultimate Gingerbread House Kit Showdown: A Food & Wine Review

Every December, a familiar scent fills kitchens across the country—gingerbread. For many, the scent is the soundtrack of a childhood spent building paper‑cut‑out decorations, decorating cupcakes, and of course, crafting gingerbread houses. In recent years the DIY gingerbread house has transitioned from a “hand‑crafted” novelty to a coveted holiday commodity, and the market is now saturated with kits that promise the same results as a professional bakery, but in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The Food & Wine article “The Best Gingerbread House Kits (and a Short‑Form Review)” (https://www.foodandwine.com/gingerbread-house-kits-test-11861731) dives deep into this trend, putting a handful of popular kits to the test and weighing the pros and cons of each. Below is a thorough summary of the article, broken down into the key take‑aways that will help you decide which kit—if any—makes the cut for your holiday festivities.

Why Kits Are a Holiday Must‑Have

The article starts by reminding readers of the traditional gingerbread house: a two‑story structure constructed from pre‑baked gingerbread (usually in a flat “pocket” shape), stacked with icing “glue,” and then decked out with candies and other sugary embellishments. Historically, this project was done by bakers and artisans in factories or at home. However, with the advent of ready‑to‑assemble kits, the barrier to entry has been drastically lowered.

The article notes that many consumers—especially those who don’t bake regularly—look for kits that are straightforward, have clearly labeled ingredients, and come with decorative elements included. The convenience factor is huge: the kits often arrive with a small “instruction sheet,” a few pre‑baked “walls,” a small wooden frame or cardboard skeleton, a generous jar of icing, and a selection of candies that are the perfect fit for the pieces. This eliminates the time and hassle of baking and decorating from scratch.

The Kits Tested

Food & Wine selected six kits that represented a cross‑section of the market: premium brands, budget options, and a few “retro” kits that had been making a comeback. Here’s a quick snapshot:

The article’s author also linked to the individual product pages for each kit, allowing readers to see the official ingredient lists and packaging photos.

Taste & Baking Performance

One of the key differentiators for the kits is how the gingerbread itself turns out. The article notes that all the kits were baked at 350°F for 10–12 minutes (unless specified otherwise). The Great Lakes and Baker’s Dozen kits received the highest marks for flavor: a well‑balanced blend of ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and a pleasant crumb. Their baking time was short, so the pieces didn't become overly dry or too dense.

Wheat Baskets was praised for its “hand‑made” texture. It had a slightly crisp edge but was chewy in the center. The Graham’s kit, while solid, leaned a bit more towards a sweet, molasses‑heavy taste that could overwhelm the candy when the house was fully assembled. The Retro Gingerbread Co. kit produced a “classic” gingerbread flavor, reminiscent of a 1950s recipe, but the pieces were a touch thicker and took a minute longer to bake.

Fun & Easy was the most budget‑friendly but also the most “plain” in flavor. The article notes that while the gingerbread is edible, it doesn’t carry the same robust spice profile as the higher‑priced kits. Still, for those who just want a quick project, it does the job.

Assembly & Packaging

Food & Wine places a premium on the packaging and assembly instructions. Great Lakes Baking Co. earned high marks for its clear, step‑by‑step guide and the inclusion of a small wooden “skeleton” that helped keep the walls upright. The kit also came with a small “glue” jar of icing that was easy to portion out.

Wheat Baskets’ cardboard skeleton was considered the best “ready‑to‑assemble” feature of the lineup. It came in a pre‑cut shape that you could simply stack and glue with the icing. The included candy sticks were pre‑cut to the exact size that matched the walls.

Baker’s Dozen was the “luxury” option. Its wooden frame was sturdier, and the icing was a thick, high‑quality paste that set firmly. The instruction booklet was a standout, featuring illustrations and alternative decorative ideas.

The Retro Gingerbread Co. kit’s cardboard skeleton, while charming in its vintage aesthetic, was noted as a bit fragile. The article suggested reinforcing the base with a small piece of wood for best results.

Fun & Easy’s packaging was minimal. It came in a flimsy plastic bag and had no structural frame. The candy sticks were pre‑cut but the icing was a thinner “glue” that required careful application.

Candies & Decorative Elements

All kits came with a selection of candies, but the article highlighted that the size and shape of the candy mattered a lot. Great Lakes, Wheat Baskets, and Baker’s Dozen all included a mix of chocolate, toffee, and sprinkles that fit snugly onto the gingerbread walls.

The Retro kit’s candy assortment was the most colorful, with a vintage “jolly” assortment of candies that felt like a throw‑back to the 1950s. Graham’s offered a simple set of chocolate and toffee, while Fun & Easy’s candy sticks were more generic.

A special mention: the Baker’s Dozen kit included a small set of edible “gold leaf” pieces that added a touch of sophistication to the final product.

Verdict & Recommendation

Food & Wine concludes with a “Winner” and “Runner‑Up” for consumers based on the most common criteria: taste, ease of assembly, and overall value.

Why Great Lakes wins: The kit offered a classic flavor profile, an easy‑to‑follow instruction set, a sturdy skeleton for the walls, and a decent candy assortment—all for a moderate price point. If you’re looking for a kit that balances flavor and convenience, Great Lakes is the way to go.

If you’re on a budget, the Fun & Easy kit gives you a simple, straightforward build at a fraction of the price. The only caveat is that the gingerbread flavor is a bit bland, but that won’t affect the final look.

For the nostalgia‑seeker, the Retro Gingerbread Co. kit feels like a step back in time, with a design that brings a sense of classic Christmas charm to the table.

Final Thoughts

The Food & Wine article provides a balanced, data‑driven review of the leading gingerbread house kits. By considering factors like taste, assembly, packaging, and candy selection, the article guides readers toward a purchase decision that best fits their holiday needs. Whether you’re a seasoned decorator or a first‑time builder, there’s a kit on this list that can help you create a gingerbread house that looks as good as it tastes—and, most importantly, can be assembled without turning your kitchen into a construction site.

(All prices and product details are as of the time of the original Food & Wine article. Be sure to double‑check the brand’s official websites for the most up‑to‑date information.)