Gingerbread House Icing
The perfect icing for constructing gingerbread houses. Start out with the thick consistency that this recipe creates to glue the house pieces together. After the walls and roof are put together, you can thin the icing out with a bit of water to finish the decorations.
Servings: 2 cups
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted (12 ounces)
- 2 egg whites 2 ounces
- ½ tsp cream of tartar see notes
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, egg whites, and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients by hand to moisten the powdered sugar.
- Turn the mixer on low and gradually increase the speed to high. Beat on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes until it is smooth and thick. It will start out looking dry and clumpy but it will come together after a minute of mixing.
- It should hold stiff peaks when it is finished mixing.
If the icing looks too thin, add additional powdered sugar a little at a time until it has the right consistency. If it is too thick, add a few drops of water at a time. - Cover the surface of the icing with a layer of plastic wrap until you are ready to use it.
Video
Notes
Cream of tartar: Cream of tartar helps stabilize the icing and prevents it from crystallizing. It also helps it dry a little faster and look brighter and whiter. If you skip it, plan on giving the icing extra drying time on your gingerbread house before you start decorating.
Start with squeaky-clean tools: Make sure your bowl and beaters are completely clean and grease-free. Even a tiny bit of grease (or a speck of egg yolk) can weaken the icing and cause it to break down.
Keep it covered: This icing dries out fast when exposed to air. Cover it with plastic wrap, and press the wrap directly onto the surface of the icing to prevent a crust from forming.
Use two consistencies: Keep the icing thick and stiff for “mortar” to glue the house pieces together. Then thin a portion slightly for piping and decorating.
Thin for icicles: To make drippy icicles, thin the icing with water a little at a time. Stir in ½ teaspoon of water, mix well, and repeat until you reach the consistency you want.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 82kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Sodium: 7mg | Sugar: 20g
