A-Frame Gingerbread House Template
No side walls: two tall roof panels lean together from the ground, closed by a triangle at each end. Fewer pieces, a sharper look.
Why A-frames work in gingerbread
Because the roof is the wall, an A-frame has no corner joints between walls, only the two long roof edges meeting at the ridge and the two ends. That makes it quick to assemble and forgiving: the two roof panels hold each other up while the icing sets.
Sizing
Width sets the footprint of the ends. Pitch sets how tall the frame rises: at 60° a 6 inch wide A-frame is just over 5 inches high. Depth is the length of the roof panels along the ridge. Because the roof ends at the ground there is no eave overhang, only the overhang at the front and back.
Joining the roof
Both roof panels run from the ground to the ridge and meet in a small V at the top. Pipe royal icing along the ridge and prop the panels with jars until it holds.
Questions
How many pieces does an A-frame have?
Four: two roof panels and two triangular ends (front and back). Add a door and the front triangle is cut for it.
What roof angle should an A-frame have?
Between 55° and 70° looks right. The generator accepts 40° to 80°; below that the shape stops being an A. Above 75° the roof panels are tall and thin and easier to break.
Is the A-frame template free?
The A-frame is in the Pattern Pack, so you can see it here, change the size and watch the preview update, but downloading or printing opens the plans. The Classic and Log cabin styles are free.
Does the template allow for the thickness of the dough?
Yes. Enter the thickness you roll to. The front and back walls stand outside the side walls, so each side wall is shortened by two thicknesses; the roof panels are sized to the sloped gable edges. The house you describe is the outside size you get.
How do I print the template at the right size?
Print the PDF at 100% (Actual size) and switch off “Fit to page” or “Scale to fit”. Page 1 has a 1 inch square and a 2 cm square: measure them with a ruler before you cut anything. If they are exact, every piece is exact.