Ginger GableGingerbread house wall thickness
Pick the thickness before you cut: it sets the dough you need and the length of the side walls. For a 6 by 7 inch house, 1/8 inch takes about 1 1/4 lb of dough and 3/8 inch about 4 lb; the side walls run 6 3/4 to 6 1/4 inches.
Side walls are two dough thicknesses shorter than the depth, so they fit between the front and back.
Your six pieces
One house, four thicknesses
A 6 × 7 house with 4″ walls and a 45° roof:
| Dough thickness | Side walls (×2) | Dough needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8″ | 6 3/4″ by 4″ | 1 1/4 lb (600 g) |
| 3/16″ | 6 5/8″ by 4″ | 2 lb (900 g) |
| 1/4″ | 6 1/2″ by 4″ | 2 3/4 lb (1,190 g) |
| 3/8″ | 6 1/4″ by 4″ | 4 lb (1,770 g) |
The front, back and roof stay the same size. Only the side walls change: they sit between the front and back, so each loses two thicknesses. Dough grows in step with thickness: 3/8″ takes three times the dough of 1/8″.
Questions
Which thickness should I choose?
The maker does not judge strength. Your recipe may name a thickness; pick it here so the side walls and the dough amount match.
Why does thickness change the side walls?
The front and back walls cover the side walls' ends. A thicker front and back take up more of the depth, so the side walls get shorter.
How do I roll it evenly?
Roll to the thickness you picked across the whole sheet of dough. The side walls only fit if every piece is the same thickness.