TLL Staff
A holiday staple is getting a bold new twist this year, as Cookies United and Cheez-It unveiled the Cheez-It Holiday House Kit, a limited-edition take on the traditional gingerbread house.
The kit replaces gingerbread walls with cheese-flavored cookies and includes Cheez-It crackers, candies and icing for decorating. Cookies United, a bakery company known for novelty treats, partnered with Cheez-It’s parent company Kellanova and its licensing agency Beanstalk to develop the product.
“At Cookies United, we pride ourselves on rethinking tradition in the most playful ways possible,” said Michael Strauss, director of marketing at Cookies United. “Partnering with Cheez-It—a brand known for its bold flavor and iconic crunch—allowed us to reinvent the gingerbread house as something fresh, unexpected, and unforgettable.”
The release marks the first savory holiday house kit of its kind, blending sweet and salty flavors for a hands-on activity that’s aimed at holiday parties, family gatherings or gift-giving. The companies said the collaboration highlights a growing trend of reimagining familiar traditions with a modern twist.
The Cheez-It Holiday House Kit will be available beginning November 1 at select retailers nationwide, while supplies last.
The move extends the reach of Cheez-It, a 100-year-old brand that has expanded beyond its original cracker line into snacks and novelty products. For Cookies United, the kit adds to a portfolio of seasonal baked goods and do-it-yourself treat kits.
Kellanova, the parent company of Cheez-It and other brands including Pringles, Rice Krispies Treats and Eggo, reported net sales of about $13 billion in 2024. The company has been expanding licensing partnerships to extend its brands into new categories and connect with consumers in unexpected ways.
Holiday house kits, traditionally based on gingerbread, have long been a seasonal best-seller for confectionery companies. By reimagining the concept with a savory twist, industry observers say the partnership could tap into consumers’ appetite for unconventional holiday experiences.
The kit, described by Strauss as “cheesy, fun, and a little bit bold,” is intended to appeal to both families looking for activities and adults nostalgic for childhood traditions with a modern edge.
More information about the Cheez-It Holiday House Kit is available at cookiesunited.com.
The business contact at Beanstalk for Cheez-IT is Daniela Miranda, who can be contacted by email at daniela.miranda@beanstalk.com.