Ginger GableHow to make a gingerbread house template
Start from the width, depth, wall height and roof pitch you want. The gable is the wall height plus half the width times the pitch's slope; the side walls are the depth minus two dough thicknesses; the roof panel is the slope length plus the overhang. The maker below does it for you.
Side walls are two dough thicknesses shorter than the depth, so they fit between the front and back.
Your six pieces
Worked example: a 6 × 8 house at 45°
| Piece | Math | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Front and back (×2) | 4 + 3 × tan 45° | 6″ wide, 7″ to the peak |
| Side walls (×2) | 8 − 2 × 1/4 | 7 1/2″ by 4″ |
| Roof panels (×2) | 3 ÷ cos 45° + 1/2, and 8 + 2 × 1/2 | 9″ by 4 3/4″ |
Total dough: the six pieces' area, times the thickness, at about 1.2 g per cubic centimeter, plus a quarter for trimmings: about 2 3/4 lb (1,300 g).
Step by step
- Draw the gable wallWidth 6″. Half the width is 3″; at 45° the gable rises 3″ × tan 45° = 3″. Peak height: 4″ + 3″ = 7″.
- Draw the side wallsDepth 8″ minus two dough thicknesses (2 × 1/4″) = 7 1/2″, by the 4″ wall height.
- Draw the roof panelsSlope: 3″ ÷ cos 45° = 4.24″, plus a 1/2″ overhang = 4 3/4″. Length: 8″ plus 1/2″ at each end = 9″.
- Check the fitFront and back hide the side walls' ends, so the house measures 6 × 8 outside, and the roof covers it with 1/2″ to spare.
Questions
Do I need a protractor?
No. At 45° the gable rises by half the width. For other pitches, the maker works out the rise and the roof length for you.
What is the most common mistake?
Cutting the side walls as long as the house is deep. They sit between the front and back, so they need to be two dough thicknesses shorter.
Can I draw it on cardstock?
Yes. Copy the sizes onto paper or cardstock, or print the maker's sheets and cut them out.