Sneaking this one in under the wire! I recently posted an image of a gingerbread vase centerpiece I made a few years ago, promising a tutorial. This is me keeping that promise! It’s so easy to do and makes for an adorable centerpiece for any holiday table. Use your gingerbread vase to hold a floral arrangement, as a candy dish, or as a fun hostess gift when you head off to your next holiday shindig. 

How to Make a Gingerbread Vase

Supplies

• Gingerbread cookie dough 
• Royal icing
• Square glass vase
• Small sharp knife
• Ruler
• Sprinkles or candy for decorating

Use your favorite gingerbread cookie dough and royal icing recipes, or try this really great one here: Gingerbread Cookies. 

Step 1:

Roll your gingerbread cookie dough to about 1/8-inch thick.

Step 2:

Place the vase on its side onto the dough and use a knife to trace the outline of the vase.

Use a rule to find the center of the top edge of the vase. Make a mark about 3-inches or so away from the top edge of the vase. Cut from each corner to that mark to create what will be the peak of the roof. Repeat once more to make the back panel. Use the same process to cut the cookies for the sides of your vase, cutting flush to the vase all the way around. 

Pop the cut dough into the fridge and let it chill until completely firm before baking. Bake according to your recipe’s instructions. Let the cookies cool before moving onto the next step.

Step 3:

Use the firm royal icing to glue the gingerbread panels to the sides of the vase. It’s up to you whether or not you decorate your panels before or after gluing them to the sides of the vase. If its easier for you to decorate them before, then just let them dry thoroughly before moving them. 

Oops! You might notice my back panel needed a little patch work. Nothing a little royal icing can’t fix! 😉

Step 4:

Fill in the seams with royal icing and decorate your panels. I piped some fluffy snow and a happy little tree, but get creative with this part! Make your gingerbread vase as simple or as fancy as you like. If you’re using this as a hostess gift, adding the recipient’s last name over the door would be a nice touch. 

Image from Mark Davidson Photography.

Here’s the original project from a few years ago. I created panels for various square and rectangular vases, and the event planner filled them with fluffy white flowers to give the illusion of snow-capped roofs.

Let me know if you end up making your own little gingerbread village or even just a single vase. I’d love to see how you make the project your own!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! 🙂