Gingerbread houses are a Christmas staple! 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. It’s thick and sticky but still fluffy! 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. Even if we buy the kits, which we often do, I will still whip up a batch of this icing for everyone to use.
It just works better than what comes in a gingerbread house kit. The consistency is like edible glue but still soft and fluffy! It’s the best gingerbread frosting recipe!
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 it looks on a shelf in my kitchen or dining room.
How to Make Gingerbread House Icing
Ingredients
This recipe only uses 3 ingredients! It doesn’t get easier than that!
Powdered Sugar
Egg Whites
Cream of Tartar
Directions
In an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form.
Next, turn the mixer to low and add powdered sugar one spoonful at a time.
Once all of the powdered sugar is in the mixer, turn it to high again and beat until the icing is fluffy.
Storing Gingerbread House Icing
We recommend using the icing within 24 hours and to store it you can add the closed piping bags in large zip lock bags and close the ziplock bag. Place in the refrigerator and remove an hour before using so it can soften.
Easy Way to Fill a Piping Bag
A friend of mine taught me this trick years ago and I use it whenever I’m filling a piping bag. It makes it easier!
First, cut the tip of the bag and add in the
Get a tall glass with a wide mouth and put the piping bag inside with the edges folded around the rim of the glass.
Spoon in the frosting and push it down to the bottom of the glass.
When the bag is 3/4 of the way full, remove it from the cup and twist the top of the bag closed. It’s less messy and works every time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 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 or buttercream and truly it’s own frosting made for gingerbread houses.
What do you use to decorate a gingerbread house?
You can either make your own gingerbread house or buy a kit. Next, make a batch of this gooey and perfect gingerbread house icing to glue your house together and decorate it! In addition, you’ll need a variety of candy! Here’s a list of all of the items:
Gingerbread House Kit or Homemade Pieces
Gingerbread House Icing
Candy for Decorating
Cardboard, Wood Platter, Marble Platter or Plate – This is to build the gingerbread house on.
Quick tip – Make a batch of Butterscotch Eggnog to sip while you assemble your gingerbread houses!
More Holiday Desserts You’ll Love!
Tips for Hosting a Cookie Swap
Winter Wonderland Drink Station
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!
Gingerbread House Icing
Ingredients
- 4 egg whites
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- food coloring , if you want to make different colors.
Instructions
- In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites and cream of tartar together.
- When the egg whites are whipped to firm peaks, turn the mixer to low and spoon in the powdered sugar.
- Continue adding in the powdered sugar until it's gone, then turn the mixer on high to whip again.
- Once it becomes fluffy (only a few minutes) it's done. It should be sticky, fluffy and thick!
- Divide the frosting into different bowls and add the desired amount of food coloring to each bowl. Whatever colors you want.
Nutrition
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Ashlee says
I haven’t made this yet, but was wondering how much should I use to frost 24 cookies?
Eden says
Hi Ashlee, this recipe is for gingerbread house. I wouldn’t recommend it for cookies.
Meagan says
I just made this last night for an Easter-themed house. In south Louisiana, it’s quite humid and it was made even more so by 5 straight days of rain. (Yes. Really. Non-stop rain.) Even so, I made this recipe, added a little more powdered sugar due to the humidity and it was AMAZING. I was a bit nervous because it seemed so soft, but it piped like a dream, held color beautifully, and it really held that house together! Even with the humidity, I left the roof go after only 30 seconds and it stayed!
The frosting was so supply and pliant, that we actually used it like buttercream for some areas, but it hardened like a rock and it didn’t take that long. I will never use any other icing but this. Thank you!
Eden says
Thank you for this beautiful review Meagan! What a cute idea to make an Easter themed house too! There is much fun Easter candy to decorate with!!
Hiba says
I was wondering how far ahead this recipe can be made and how long it could be stored? It looks so good can’t wait to try!
Eden says
Hi! The icing can be made a few days ahead but has to be stored completely sealed or it will dry out. It also needs to be brought back to room temp before using. I do like it fresh better as it’s the perfect consistency.