A fluffy gingerbread house icing that works as the “glue” to keep the house together! This is our go-to recipe and it works perfectly every time. It’s soft and easy to pipe, but strong and holds so well. Show
This icing is also great for making a graham cracker gingerbread house and adding decorations to a gingerbread house or gingerbread Christmas trees, mini gingerbread houses as well as gingerbread cookies. We use this icing every year for our homemade gingerbread house recipe! Gingerbread houses are a Christmas staple and one of our favorite holiday traditions. Every year we turn on the Christmas music and host a gingerbread house party for the kids! We use our gingerbread house icing recipe to “glue” them together and make fluffy decorations. Add food coloring to change the color and get creative with your gingerbread house! Making gingerbread houses has been a tradition of ours since I was a kid. The icing that comes in a gingerbread house kit is usually horrible. It’s too hard to pipe, takes so long to dry, and has zero fluff to it. I always whip up a batch of this icing for everyone to use, and it works so well! Why We Love This Icing
It’s will make your life so much easier when you’re trying to hold roof pieces together while gluing on sides! The consistency is like edible glue but still soft and fluffy! I also like that it’s thicker, holds its shape, and dries quickly, allowing you to build your gingerbread house faster. It really is the best gingerbread house icing. The frosting is sticky but still fluffy and easy to squeeze out. Furthermore, you can also divide the icing into separate bowls and make fun colors. Get creative and make pink, blue, green, red, and more! Once your gingerbread house is done you can use it for decorations or eat it! I personally love the way a decorated gingerbread house looks on a shelf in my kitchen or dining room. There is something so charming about a house decorated with candy canes, red hots, chocolate kisses, and Christmas sprinkles! It’s a charming Christmas decoration that you don’t have to store but can enjoy all holiday season. How to Make Gingerbread House IcingHere’s what you’ll need to make your own delicious gingerbread house icing! This recipe only uses 3 ingredients and 3 steps and it will make a very strong gingerbread house. It doesn’t get easier than that! Supplies
IngredientsConfectioners Sugar – Also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar. Confectioners’ sugar is a very fine form of granulated sugar that dissolves easily. Because of its fine texture, it’s often used to make frostings and icings. Egg Whites – Whisking egg whites into your icing recipe will give the icing stability and a thick texture. It also creates a glossy sheen and fluffiness in this icing. They are crucial for making gingerbread house icing. When using raw egg whites, used pasteurized eggs when making frosting. Cream of Tartar – Cream of tartar is an acidic salt that helps to stabilize the whipped egg whites in this recipe. It also prevents them from deflating too quickly. Do not omit this ingredient! Directions
2. Next, turn the mixer to low speed and add powdered sugar one spoonful at a time. 3. Once all of the powdered sugar is in the mixer, turn it to high again and beat until the icing is fluffy. Tips for Making Gingerbread House Icing
Pasteurized EggsWe highly recommended using pasteurized eggs in this recipe. Pasteurized eggs are heated to a temperature that kills bacteria without cooking the egg. This process is often done using hot water or steam. You can find them at your local grocery store and they will say pasteurized on the package. Storage TipsWe recommend using the icing within 24 hours. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight. If the frosting is already in piping bags, close the top of the bags and add them into a large plastic bag. Seal the bag. Place in the refrigerator and remove it an hour before using so it can soften. It’s best used when it’s room temperature. Freezing Gingerbread House IcingYes, this icing can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply store it in an airtight container and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using it. Easy Way to Fill a Piping BagA friend of mine taught me this trick years ago and I use it when filling a piping bag. It’s the easiest way to fill an icing bag without the mess.
It’s less messy and works every time! What To Do With LeftoversIf you have any frosting leftover, use it to decorate gingerbread men or graham cracker houses! Frequently Asked QuestionsIs buttercream or royal icing better for gingerbread houses?A buttercream frosting will not hold a gingerbread house together as it’s not strong enough. Royal icing is used to decorate cookies and houses and can be a little liquidy until it sets. The best frosting to make a gingerbread house is our recipe below. It’s neither royal nor buttercream and truly its own frosting made for gingerbread houses. Is it safe to eat gingerbread house icing?Yes! This icing is safe to eat as it’s made with sugar, eggs, and cream of tartar. What is gingerbread house icing made of?Gingerbread house icing is typically made from confectioners sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar. This recipe is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. How long does it take for gingerbread house icing to harden?This icing will take about 30 minutes to harden. Once it’s hardened, it will be very sturdy and will hold up your gingerbread house. How do you stick a gingerbread house together?Honestly, using this homemade gingerbread icing will be your secret tool to keep a gingerbread house together. It’s like magic! Simply add it to the back of the pieces and hold them together. Then add the roof and wait a minute before adding more “snow” or “icing” to the top. What can you use instead of egg white in icing?If you’re looking for another option, meringue powder is a great choice. Meringue powder is a dried form of egg whites. It’s often used in recipes as a safe, alternative to fresh egg whites. You can usually find it in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. Can you use regular frosting for gingerbread houses?No, you cannot use regular frosting for gingerbread houses. Gingerbread houses require a specific type of icing that is made from confectioners sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar. This icing is different from regular frosting because it is much thicker and more stable. It’s also designed to harden so that your gingerbread house will hold its shape. What do you use to decorate a gingerbread house?You can either make your own gingerbread house or buy a gingerbread house kit. Next, make a batch of this gooey and perfect gingerbread house icing to glue your house together and decorate it! You’ll also need a variety of your favorite candies! Here’s a list of all of the items:
Quick tip – Make a batch of Eggnog or any of our Christmas cocktails to sip while you assemble your gingerbread houses! More Holiday Desserts You’ll Love!Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar Tips for Hosting a Cookie Swap Winter Wonderland Drink Station Santa Hat Cupcakes The Best Royal Icing Recipe Rosemary Shortbread Cookies Peanut Butter Blossoms The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Christmas Sugar Cookies Let us know if you make this icing by leaving a comment and review below! We love to hear your thoughts. AND please tag @sugarandcharm us to share your wonderful gingerbread houses! Happy Baking! You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties! This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure and privacy policy.
Add more powdered sugar if needed to thicken. Add tablespoon water if the mixture is too thick. Make different colors using food gel. Add flavor with clear flavored extracts. Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 160g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 165mg | Sugar: 157g | Iron: 1mg What is gingerbread house icing made of?Gingerbread house icing is typically made from confectioners sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar. This recipe is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.
How do you stick a gingerbread house together?Just melt the sugar in a pan over low heat. You want to allow it to turn brown, but make sure not to burn it (otherwise it won't taste so great). Then take your gingerbread house pieces, dip the edges in melted sugar and hold them together for a few seconds. That's it!
Can you use regular icing for a gingerbread house?Canned icing can be used for decorating gingerbread houses, but not for building them because it's generally too soft to act as a reliable glue. Because store-bought icing contains ingredients that prevent it from drying out, it will never dry hard enough to hold a real gingerbread house together.
Can you buy royal icing for gingerbread houses?Royal icing is the edible "glue" or mortar that holds a gingerbread house together and can be used to make fancy sugar decorations. It's the best option for projects like gingerbread houses since, unlike buttercream frosting, royal icing will harden once dry.
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