12 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 building 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 12, 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 to snack on 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!”).
The label 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, $14.38 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 gummy 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, $2.95 for 7.2 ounces at Instacart
3. Nerds Frosty Gummy Clusters
These red, white, and green seasonal Nerds Frosty Gummy Clusters are just what your gingerbread house needs. Compile them to look like shrubs in the front yard or use them to create a crunchy candy path. They might be the happiest candy on the planet.
Buy: Nerds Frosty Gummy Clusters, $2.12 for 3 ounces at Walmart
4. Spangler Mini Peppermint Candy Canes
Also on the list of iconic gingerbread candy 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: Spangler Mini Peppermint Candy Canes, $11.98 for 40 candy canes at Amazon
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 $14.49 for 16 ounces at Nuts.com
6. Starburst Fruit Chews
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, decorative borders, or lining a pathway.
Buy: Starburst Fruit Chews, $4.10 (on sale!) for 15.6 ounces at Walmart
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 plant one as a lamppost (they do come in a pack of three!).
Buy: Jumbo Rainbow Twist Swirl Lollipops, $7.99 for 3 (10-ounce) lollipops at Amazon
8. Zestix Rainbow Candy Coated Chips
Sometimes a gingerbread house needs some smaller candies for texture, interest, and for filling in the gaps. Rainbow Candy Coated Chips are a great option. They come in various colors that make the cutest holiday lights. Bonus: They come in a fairly large container, so there’s plenty to snack on as you build (or add to cosmic brownies).
Buy: Zestix Rainbow Candy Coated Chips, $12.98 for 10 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, $4.62 for 14 ounces at Amazon
10. Hot Tamales
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 Hot Tamales 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: Hot Tamales, $1.00 (on sale!) for 4.25 ounces at Walmart
11. Dots Original Gum Drops
Is it really a gingerbread house if it doesn’t have gumdrops? Perhaps the most iconic candy in this list, Dots candy is easy to come by during the holidays and can be used for shrubs, lining walkways, and general house decor.
Buy: Dots Original Gum Drops, $1.00 (on sale!) for 6.5 ounces at Walmart
12. Sockerbit Strawberry Swirls
The soft pink-and-white swirl of these Sockerbit Strawberry Swirls adds a bright, cheerful color that pops next to brown gingerbread and white royal icing. Plus, the round, striped shape has a candy-cane-meets-gumdrop vibe, which fits perfectly in with the playful, magical look of a gingerbread house.
Buy: Sockerbit Strawberry Swirls, 4.50 for 4 ounces at Sockerbit
Did your favorite candy make the list? Tell us about it in the comments.
The Weekly Checkout
Sign up for The Weekly Checkout to get the most up-to-date grocery news, tips, and highlights.