Creating a Gingerbread House is a festive ritual that numerous families eagerly await each year. A successful gingerbread house hinges on using an icing that effectively binds and supports your decorations, ensuring they remain in place.
Although we’ve experimented with various frostings, not all of them were up to the mark. Our special super hold icing formula, however, is a surefire winner when it comes to crafting your Gingerbread House!
Crafting a gingerbread house becomes an absolute joy with our foolproof super hold icing. It’s a delightful Christmas activity that resonates with both young and old!
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Gingerbread House Super Hold Icing Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2.5 cups of Powdered Sugar
- 2 tablespoons of Meringue Powder
- 1/4 cup of Water
- Extra water, to be added teaspoon by teaspoon as required
Directions:
It’s a straightforward recipe! Meringue powder might not be a common ingredient in your kitchen, but it’s worth the buy. It’s budget-friendly and fantastic for baking. We integrate it into our gingerbread house icing each holiday season.
Moreover, it’s a primary ingredient for royal icing, which is used to adorn soft sugar cookies if you’re aiming for a firmer, less sweet topping.
Begin by mixing powdered sugar and meringue powder in a medium-sized bowl. As they’re both dry, a simple fork whisking will suffice to ensure even distribution.
The meringue powder acts as a stellar binding agent, offering thickness and firmness to the frosting once it’s set. However, it remains easy to spread, making the decorating process smooth for youngsters. After the decoration, the icing sets robustly, ideal for showcasing.
Next, introduce 1/4 cup of water and blend thoroughly using a fork. The mixture combines seamlessly. Engage the kids in this step—they’re often eager assistants.
For larger batches catering to sizable gatherings, an electric mixer on low speed might be more appropriate. However, I adore the practicality of preparing it in smaller portions, ensuring it remains at an optimal consistency during decoration.
If the mixture seems too dry, incrementally add water, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency. Ensure the mixture is sticky, not overly liquid. If it becomes too diluted, sprinkle in powdered sugar to rectify.
Once you’ve achieved the right consistency, transfer the icing into a piping bag. A simple trick is using a resealable plastic bag and snipping off a corner. Start dispensing from a small opening; you can always enlarge it if necessary. The icing serves to adhere candies or assemble the house components.
To diversify, consider tinting the icing using a couple of food coloring drops. Although we have a soft spot for classic white, you can jazz it up as per your preference.
Remember, the frosting solidifies in about 4-6 hours and solidifies completely overnight. While it’s pliable during the decoration process, it’s best to let it set undisturbed for a few hours afterward.
Once your icing is prepped, the real excitement starts! Spread out an assortment of candies and watch the little ones delight in designing their fantasy candy homes. Display them as festive centerpieces or indulge in them throughout the holiday season.
Our top picks for decoration include charming Candy Christmas Lights and vibrant holly leaf and berry candies. Regardless of your choice, your gingerbread house is bound to be a showstopper!
