5-Minute Frosting For Gingerbread House

Square image of gingerbread house with gingerbread house frosting on the roof, door, windows

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5-Minute Frosting For Gingerbread House

The holiday magic of building a gingerbread house starts with reliable frosting that holds it all together. Unlike other royal icing recipes, this Gingerbread House Frosting is the perfect combination of flexibility for decorating and stiffness for construction, ensuring your gingerbread house stands tall!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: frosting for gingerbread house, gingerbread house, gingerbread house frosting

Servings: servings

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Chandice Probst

Cost: 5

Ingredients

5 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
8 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

Combine the meringue powder, water, and cream of tartar and mix until the powder dissolves completely.
Slowly add the powdered sugar beating on low speed.
Once all powdered sugar has been added, turn to medium speed and beat for four minutes, scraping the sides occasionally until icing is fluffy.
Add extracts and mix gently.
Cover with a damp cloth to keep from hardening and use right away.
This is the icing you use to cement everything together.
To pipe decorative lines on the assembled house, or to make hanging icicles add some of this frosting to a cup and add drops of water one by one until it’s the consistency you’re looking for.

Notes

Storage and make ahead

Short term storage: Royal icing can dry and harden quickly so store it in a airtight container or piping bag if you're taking a break from decorating. If the icing hardens, run it over warm water while it's in the airtight container.

Long term storage: If you need to make ahead of time, store the frosting in the fridge for up to 3 days, longer if you don't plan on eating the frosting. Before using, bring it to room temperature using warm water and beat it gently to bring back the texture.

Can I use egg whites instead of meringue powder?

Yes, but meringue powder is easier to work with and provides a more consistent result. If you're using egg whites, the texture may be effected by the freshness or the size of the egg. Using meringue powder makes the royal icing easier to work with, giving you a fluffy and stable icing every time.

Nutrition