Clay Gingerbread Plates – A Handmade Christmas

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It’s week six of my 16-week series titled A Handmade Christmas, and today I am sharing Clay Gingerbread Plates made with air-dry clay.

Every year, when the holidays roll around, I find myself inspired by the beautiful décor in the shops. Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and Terrain are always my go-to sources for inspiration. This year, I stumbled across the most adorable gingerbread plates and decided I had to make them!

A gingerbread cookie decorated as a house is placed on a white plate with a red border, next to a bowl of Christmas ornaments and a red drink in a glass.
Four images show holiday-themed items: decorated cookies, vintage glass ornaments in a bowl, frosted cookies with tree designs, and a festive dining table setting with holiday decor.
Text logo reads: "MY 100 YEAR OLD HOME | A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS" in capitalized, gray letters on a white background.

Clay Gingerbread Plates

Two house-shaped ceramic plates on a red textured fabric; one has white icing-style decoration, the other has ornate embossed patterns.

The Pottery Barn plates were whimsical, detailed, and just perfect for Christmas entertaining. But instead of buying them, I knew I could make my own version with clay.

This is the gingerbread plate from Pottery Barn.

A brown ceramic plate shaped like a house, decorated with white icing-like patterns resembling a gingerbread house.

I’ve been working with clay a lot lately, and I love its versatility. From hand-built pottery to air-dry projects, clay offers an endless array of possibilities. So, I decided to create my own clay gingerbread plates. The process was simple, fun, and completely customizable.

Best of all, I could design them exactly the way I wanted—down to the color palette, details, and glaze finish.

A plate of gingerbread cookies and ornaments.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know to make your own.

Why Make Clay Gingerbread Plates?

A brown, embossed ceramic plate in the shape of a house sits on a white plate with a red rim, placed on a woven placemat.

Clay gingerbread plates are the perfect mix of festive and functional. They’re sturdy enough to hold cookies, snacks, or holiday treats, but they also double as charming décor pieces. I love the idea of setting a holiday table with a stack of these handmade plates, each one slightly different, each one telling its own story.

Another perk? You’re not limited to what’s in the store. By making your own, you can experiment with designs, patterns, and colors. Perhaps you prefer a traditional gingerbread look, or maybe a modern black-and-white plate with minimal piping details. With clay, you’re the designer.

I ended up making two. The first one is the Painted Gingerbread House and resembles the Pottery Barn one. The second is the Textured Gingerbread House, and it is very easy to make.

Materials You’ll Need

A flat lay of clay, paint bottles, Mod Podge, clay glaze, crafting tools, a plastic scraper, three wooden sticks, and two rolling pins, one with a decorative pattern.

Here’s what I used to create my gingerbread plates:

  • Air-dry clay (perfect for easy, no-kiln projects)
  • Rolling pins (I used a plain one and this Christmas textured rolling pin to give the clay a subtle background.)
  • Gingerbread house template (you can freehand, use a cookie cutter, or print a house shape). Or you can download mine below.
  • Clay tools (a knife, needle tool, or even a butter knife will do)
  • Paints: brown acrylic paint for the gingerbread base, white for the icing, and any accent colors you’d like
  • Precision Tip Applicators and Bottles for painting
  • Clay Glaze and Mod Podge (to seal and give a finished shine)
  • Stencil (optional): You can use a Cricut to cut holiday stencils if you want repeating designs
  • Sandpaper (fine grit, to smooth edges once dry)

Download my gingerbread template below.

Gingerbread Plate TemplateDownload

I may occasionally use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you purchase through the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A 10 lb (4.5 kg) package of Amaco Air Dry Clay with a red label, stating "Easy to Use" and "Made in USA.

Air Dry Modeling Clay

Five nested metal house-shaped cookie cutters with a decorated gingerbread house cookie placed in the center.
House Cookie Cutters Shapes Set – 4 Pieces Gingerbread
A package of DAS modeling clay, red and white with a photo of clay being rolled and shaped into a flower.

DAS Air-Hardening Modeling Clay

A wooden rolling pin with ornate floral engravings, perfect for imprinting matching decorative patterns on cookies or Air Dry Clay creations.

Embossed Wooden Rolling Pin

Paint Brushes

18 Assorted Acrylic Paint Colors, 2oz each

A fan arrangement of black and gray rectangular sandpaper sheets displayed on a white background.
24PCS Sand Paper Variety
Various plastic squeeze bottles with measurement markings and interchangeable precision tip nozzles in different colors and sizes, arranged in rows on a white background.
Precision Tip Applicator Bottle
A set of clay sculpting tools including wooden and metal shaping tools, a round yellow sponge, and a wire clay cutter arranged on a white background.

8 Pieces Wooden Pottery Sculpting Clay

Mod Podge
Waterbase Sealer

A Cricut cutting machine with assorted vinyl sheets, transfer sheets, a blue cutting mat, crafting tools, and a tablet displaying design software—perfect for crafting custom decor when you host a dinner party.

Cricut Explore 4 – Smart Cutting Machine (Seashell)

A small, white bottle labeled "Clay Glaze" with a blue label indicating it's a gloss varnish. The label shows art-related icons and states the volume as 100ml/3.4oz.

Air Dry Clay Varnish

Painted Gingerbread House

A gingerbread house cookie decorated with white icing sits on a red napkin next to a plate with Christmas ornaments and eucalyptus leaves.

Step One: Rolling Out the Clay

A wooden rolling pin is flattening a slab of light brown clay on a white surface.
A flat slab of clay with an orange, house-shaped template placed on top, positioned between two wooden guide rails on a work surface.

Start by rolling out your air-dry clay to a thickness of about 3/8 inch. You want it thin enough to feel like a plate but thick enough to stay sturdy once dry. I like to roll my clay on a piece of parchment paper—it makes it easier to lift without sticking.

Step Two: Cutting Out the Plate

An orange house-shaped piece of material outlined in black rests on a beige surface.
A brown paper cutout shaped like a house with white paper shapes representing two windows, a door, and a round window above the door.

Next, cut out your gingerbread house shape. You can sketch your own, trace around a printed template, or use a cookie cutter for a consistent size.

You can also download my template above and use it. My house measured about 8″ x 8″, so adjust accordingly. Print it on cardstock to make the template.

Using a knife, cut around the template to make your clay house. Set the clay aside.

At this point, go ahead and design and cut out the shapes for the doors and windows. I did this so I could trace the basic shapes onto the clay. That makes it so much easier to decorate.

Step Three: Shaping the Plate

A flat, unfinished clay slab shaped like a house sits on a wooden surface lightly dusted with clay powder.
Cut-out paper shapes—one circle, two squares, and one rectangle—are arranged on a clay slab with an irregular, house-like outline.
A piece of clay shaped like a house with lines etched to outline a door, two windows, and a circular shape above the door.

Carefully trim away the excess clay. Smooth the edges with your fingers and a small amount of water. If you’d like the plate to have a slight curve, use a ruler or straight edge and gently fold the edges up all the way around.

Place the window and door shapes and trace lightly onto the clay. Lightly trace the windows and door onto the clay.

Step Four: Drying and Smoothing

Two house-shaped slabs of clay on a baking tray; the left has a floral pattern, and the right has simple geometric shapes etched into its surface.
Two house-shaped clay dishes rest on a wire rack; one has a floral embossed pattern, the other has geometric shapes etched into its surface.

Air-dry clay usually takes 24–48 hours to dry, depending on thickness. Be patient and let it dry thoroughly before painting.

You can speed up the drying process by placing the clay on a baking pan (covered with a slip mat or parchment paper) and then placing it in the oven at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes. Once dry, use fine sandpaper to smooth any rough edges or imperfections.

Step Five: Painting the Base

A flat paintbrush rests beside blobs of red, brown, and yellow paint on a transparent surface with a grid background.
A hand uses a paintbrush to apply brown paint to a clay object resting on a sheet of brown paper.
A flat piece of brown clay shaped like a house with square windows, a round window, and a door outlined on its surface.

I mixed my own f=gingerbread colored paint using brown, orange, and red. Apply the paint with a brush. I used two thin coats and painted both the front and back.

Step Six: Adding the Design

A hand applies white icing to a brown clay tray shaped like a house with outlines for windows, a door, and a circle.
A hand uses white icing to decorate a brown, house-shaped cookie with windows, a door, a circle, and candy cane shapes on parchment paper.
Brown gingerbread house cookie decorated with white icing outlines for windows, a door, and candy canes, placed on parchment paper.
A gingerbread cookie shaped like a house, decorated with white icing to show windows, a door, a circle above, and two candy canes on either side of the door.
A gingerbread house cookie decorated with white icing, featuring a door, windows, a round window, and candy canes on a parchment paper background.
A gingerbread house-shaped cookie decorated with white icing patterns, featuring a door, windows, a circular window, candy canes, and dots.

Here’s where the fun begins. Using your clay tools, lightly carve additional details on the plate. Don’t worry about perfection, as gingerbread houses are meant to be whimsical!

I used Precision Tip Applicators and Bottles for painting. This made the painting of the white accents so much easier! And they are really fun to use.

Just fill one of the bottles with the paint, attach the tip, and start painting. As you can see, the paint went on really easily.

I absolutely love how it came out. It’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it look like a gingerbread house!

Step Seven: Glazing the Plate

A brown ceramic piece shaped like a house is decorated with white icing-like patterns next to a paintbrush on parchment paper.
A decorated gingerbread house cookie with white icing details sits on parchment paper, next to a pastry brush.

To give the plate a finished look, I brushed on a transparent Clay Glaze. This step seals the paint, adds a subtle shine, and makes the plate feel more like a ceramic piece. If you don’t have glaze, Mod Podge works almost as well.

Textured Gingerbread House

A decorative, brown ceramic dish with an embossed floral pattern, shaped like a house, placed on a red mat next to a white bowl containing ornaments.

Step One: Rolling Out the Clay

A patterned rolling pin is being used to emboss a decorative design onto a sheet of clay laid out on a fabric surface.

Start by rolling out your air-dry clay to a thickness of about 3/8 inch. You want it thin enough to feel like a plate but thick enough to stay sturdy once dry. I like to roll my clay on a piece of parchment paper, as it makes it easier to lift without sticking.

Once the clay is rolled out, roll the textured rolling pin on top to add the design. Be sure to roll with equal pressure throughout.

Step Two: Shaping the Plate

A slab of clay with an intricate floral and leaf pattern embossed on its surface rests on a fabric-covered surface.
A piece of clay with embossed floral patterns and an orange house-shaped cutout placed on top.
A slab of clay with an ornate, floral and leaf pattern is outlined with a black line in the shape of a house.

Next, cut out your gingerbread house shape. You can sketch your own, trace around a printed template, or use a cookie cutter for a consistent size. You can download my gingerbread house template above.

Carefully trim away the excess clay. Smooth the edges with your fingers and a small amount of water. If you’d like the plate to have a slight curve, use a ruler or straight edge and gently fold the edges up all the way around.

A clay tray shaped like a house with an intricate floral and swirl pattern embossed on its surface.

Let it dry in this position so it retains its natural curve.

Step Three: Drying and Smoothing

A piece of clay shaped with uneven edges, featuring an intricate floral and paisley embossed pattern on its surface.

Air-dry clay usually takes 24–48 hours to dry, depending on thickness. Be patient and let it dry thoroughly before painting.

You can speed up the drying process by placing the clay on a baking pan (covered with a slip mat or parchment paper) and then placing it in the oven at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes. Once dry, use fine sandpaper to smooth any rough edges or imperfections.

Step Four: Sealing the Clay

A flat brush, an embossed clay dish, and a jar of Mod Podge gloss sealer are arranged on a brown sheet atop a grid-patterned surface.
A decorated white clay piece with an ornate floral pattern is being brushed with a clear substance on a brown surface.

Air-dry clay absorbs paint, so I like to apply Mod Podge to textured projects before painting. That way, I can then wipe off some of the paint for a more “ceramic” look.

Step Five: Painting the Base

A flat paintbrush rests beside blobs of red, brown, and yellow paint on a transparent surface with a grid background.
A brown, patterned clay dish in an irregular shape sits on parchment paper, with a brush applying glaze or paint to its surface.

To mimic the look of gingerbread, I painted the entire plate with a warm brown acrylic paint. You can mix shades of tan, caramel, and burnt umber to get the perfect “cookie” color. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step Six: Glazing the Plate

A hand holds a bottle of gloss varnish next to a brown, textured, house-shaped clay dish resting on parchment paper.
A decorative clay dish with an embossed floral pattern is being coated with a glossy finish using a broad paintbrush.

To give the plate a finished look, I brushed on a transparent Clay Glaze. This step seals the paint, adds a subtle shine, and makes the plate feel more like a ceramic piece. If you don’t have glaze, Mod Podge works almost as well.

Styling Your Gingerbread Plates

A gingerbread cookie decorated as a house is placed on a white plate with a red border, next to a bowl of Christmas ornaments and a red drink in a glass.

The plates aren’t dishwasher safe, so they should be used for serving or decor.

Once finished, the possibilities are endless:

  • Holiday Cookie Display: Serve sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or biscotti on your handmade plates.
  • Table Setting: Use them as festive salad or dessert plates for a holiday dinner.
  • Décor: Display them on a shelf, mantel, or in a hutch alongside other seasonal pieces.
  • Gifting: Wrap one with cellophane and tie it with a ribbon. Your friends and family will love receiving a handmade plate filled with treats.
White plate with embossed gold snowflake designs arranged across the surface.
Creative Co-Op Stoneware Plate, Snowflakes
A ceramic plate shaped like a Christmas tree, brown in color with white dots and wavy white lines as decoration.
Creative Co-Op Gingerbread Tree Shaped Platter
Brown gingerbread man-shaped plate with white icing details, red heart-shaped buttons, green bow tie, and a smiling face.
Creative Co-Op Stoneware Gingerbread Man Shaped Platter
A beige ceramic cake stand with a scalloped edge and round top, shown from a top-down and side view.
Creative Co-Op Hand-Painted Stoneware Pedestal with Scalloped Edge
A wooden reindeer figurine sits on a red plaid cloth, which is placed on a light wood table with a white embroidered runner featuring pine sprigs and berries.
Creative Co-Op Woven Cotton and Linen Christmas Table Runner
A roll of clear plastic wrapping film with white snowflake and dot patterns printed on it.
Christmas Cellophane Wrap

Tips for Success

A white bowl with red, green, and silver ornaments sits near two gingerbread house-shaped dishes on a red cloth with eucalyptus leaves in the background.
  • Keep edges smooth: Use a damp sponge or your finger dipped in water while shaping.
  • Be patient with drying: If you paint too soon, the clay may crack.
  • Layer colors: Use multiple shades of brown to create a more realistic gingerbread look.
  • Add sparkle: A touch of glitter paint or metallic accents makes the design pop.
  • Make a set: Vary the house shapes for a charming mismatched collection.

Why I Love This Project

This DIY combines everything I love—seasonal décor, creativity, and clay crafting. It’s simple enough for beginners but leaves plenty of room for personalization. Each plate feels like its own little piece of holiday art, and I look forward to bringing them out year after year.

Additionally, I love that I could create my plates exactly as I wanted. The Pottery Barn version inspired me, but by making my own, I added my personal touch. And the satisfaction of creating something with your own two hands? That’s priceless.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a festive holiday craft that’s as fun as it is functional, these clay gingerbread plates are the answer. They’re easy, customizable, and will become a holiday tradition in your home. Whether you use them for serving treats, decorating your table, or gifting to loved ones, they bring a handmade charm that store-bought items can’t match.

The next time you spot a holiday décor piece you love, consider whether you can create your own DIY version. Chances are, with a bit of clay, some paint, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can make something even better—something that’s genuinely yours.

Wooden house-shaped advent calendar with numbered drawers from 1 to 24, each with a small round handle.
Creative Co-Op Wood House Advent Calendar
Two gingerbread person ornaments with white hearts, red and white checkered clothing, and red hanging loops, set against a white background.
4-1/4″H Clay Dough Gingerbread Man/Woman
A rectangular white marble cheese board with a leather strap, featuring a small wooden-handled spreader tied with twine and a decorative inlay in one corner.
Creative Co-Op Marble CheeseBoard w/Mother of Pearl Snowflake
Two green, tree-shaped candles; one is wrapped in clear plastic with a gold ribbon, and the other is unwrapped, both placed on a neutral fabric surface.

Creative Co-Op Tall Holiday Tree Shaped Candle

Cloth Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

A spool of green velvet ribbon with the Simisi Ribbon logo, accompanied by a tied bow and product packaging for gift wrapping and home decorations.

Olive Green Velvet Ribbon

Pottery Barn Inspired Christmas Decor

A collage of Christmas-themed home decor items, including a tree wall art, garlands, star topper, pillows, mugs, candles, towels, bells, and a "Merry Christmas" doormat.
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Sixteen Weeks of A Handmade Christmas

Here are the first six weeks of A Homemade Christmas. Can you believe I have ten more still to share!

A plate of gingerbread cookies and ornaments.
Week Six
Two fabric Christmas trees with ruffled layers stand on a table, surrounded by greenery, with two decorative ornaments on a square plate in the foreground.
Week Five
Two red gift boxes with pink ribbons and floral gift tags are displayed on a light wood surface, alongside two round floral-wrapped candies.
Week Four
Three handmade napkin rings—one green with a floral pattern, one white with "LESLIE" embossed, and one pink with a dragonfly—rest on folded patterned napkins.
Week Three
Six colorful hand-painted glass ornaments in red, pink, yellow, and green shades arranged in a white decorative bowl on a rustic surface.
Week Two
Twelve hand-painted Christmas ornaments on oyster shells, each displaying a number and an illustration from "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Greenery decorates the surrounding area.
Week One
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A Home to Share
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A clay gingerbread house plate with white icing design sits on a white plate with a red border, next to a bowl of ornaments and a glass on a wooden table.

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