In a humble cottage on the edge of a forest, Hansel and Gretel, the children of a poor broom-maker, are left alone while their parents struggle to provide for the family. Distracted from their chores, the children dance and play until their mother discovers they have neglected their work. In anger, she sends them into the forest to gather strawberries.

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As evening falls, Hansel and Gretel lose their way. Frightened but comforted by their faith, they say their evening prayers and fall asleep beneath the trees. During the night, angels appear to watch over them.

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The next morning, they encounter a mysterious gingerbread house inhabited by a wicked Witch. The Witch lures children to her cottage with sweets, then captures them to be baked into gingerbread. She imprisons Hansel and prepares to cook Gretel as well. Using her wits, Gretel tricks the Witch into demonstrating how to look inside the oven and pushes her in, destroying her.

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The spell over the gingerbread children is broken, and they return to human form. Hansel and Gretel are joyfully reunited with their parents, and all give thanks for their deliverance as the opera ends in celebration.