Creating a delicious and visually appealing gingerbread house is a delightful holiday tradition that brings joy to people of all ages. However, achieving the perfect balance between taste and structural integrity requires careful consideration, especially when selecting the icing. Whether you prefer a classic royal icing, a fluffy marshmallow frosting, or a decadent cream cheese frosting, there are several factors to consider to ensure your gingerbread house stands tall and your taste buds dance with delight. In this article, we will explore some of the best icing recipes for gingerbread houses, taking into account important aspects such as drying time, stability, and flavor. We will provide step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and expert recommendations to guide you in creating a stunning and delicious gingerbread house that will be the centerpiece of your holiday festivities.
Let's cook with our recipes!
GINGERBREAD ICING
A nice ginger icing to help decorate cookies or even hold walls of gingerbread houses together. This icing dries hard and tastes good.
Provided by quacked
Categories Desserts Frostings and Icings
Time 10m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Beat egg whites in a bowl using an electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually mix confectioners' sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla extract into egg whites until icing is thickened.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 71.7 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 6.5 mg, Sugar 17.1 g
GINGERBREAD HOUSE ICING
Saved this recipe from a parent workshop with my oldest daughter. Very easy to whip up, and the kids LOVED to taste it along the way!! Used whatever leftover icing to "glue" gingerbread house ingredients with a clean popsticle stick to an empty 8oz. milk carton.
Provided by AngelaC
Categories Dessert
Time 12m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- In a large clean bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with electric mixer at medium speed.
- Add powdered sugar in small amounts, mixing well on high speed after each addition.
- Beat on high speed 4-5 minutes or until mixture thickens.
- Refrigerate, covered, until ready to use.
- You may need to stir icing to soften before use.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 568.2, Sodium 44.1, Carbohydrate 142.6, Sugar 139.6, Protein 2.7
ROYAL ICING RECIPE FOR A GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Royal icing is the mortar or glue that holds a gingerbread house together. Here are the tips to making this easy three-ingredient recipe.
Provided by Barbara Rolek
Categories Dessert Ingredient
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- In a large bowl , combine the confectioners' sugar, cream of tartar, and pasteurized egg whites. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Turn the mixer to high and beat until the mixture is thick, bright white, and will hold a stiff peak. This should take at least 7 to 10 minutes. If the icing is still too soupy, add more confectioners' sugar a little at a time. Don't add too much, or the icing will be dry and hard to work with.
- When finished, cover with plastic wrap, making sure it touches the royal icing so a crust doesn't form. Royal icing dries out quickly, so make sure it is covered all the time. Otherwise, lumps will form in the icing and they will never pass through an icing tip.
- When ready to use, transfer to a piping bag and decorate . Enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 122 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 14 mg, Sugar 30 g, Fat 0 g, ServingSize 1 house (12 to 15 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH TWO TYPES OF GINGERBREAD COOKIE FROSTING
This soft gingerbread cookie requires no chilling and rolls like a dream. Perfect for cut-out and stamped cookies alike. Since we couldn't pick a favorite gingerbread cookie frosting, we've provided two.
Provided by cookspacebrooklyninfo
Categories Dessert
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 F. Put cookie stamps in the freezer to chill, if using. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. These cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container for several days.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, cream together the butter, sugar, and molasses on medium speed. Beat the egg yolk into the creamed mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure that that the dough is thoroughly mixed.
- Sift the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Turn the gingerbread cookie dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead until all the floury bits are mixed in.
- Flatten the gingerbread dough into a disk. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. You only need to chill this dough if it's very soft.
- Use a cookie cutter or cookie stamps to cut out the cookies. Transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake 8-10 minutes until just set. Remove to wire racks to cool fully.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whip attachment, beat 2 tbs meringue powder into 1/4 cup cold water on medium-high speed until peaks form.
- Beat confectioners' sugar into the meringue until desired consistency is reached. Add more sugar for stiffer icing, or a droplet of water to soften icing consistency.
- Use a disposable 16-inch piping bag with a small round tip and lots of Christmas sprinkles to decorate cookies.
- Whisk the glaze ingredients together until they become a smooth, thin glaze. Add water if too thick. The glaze should have the consistency of maple syrup.
- Brush the glaze on the cooled cookies. Let glaze set fully before serving.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE
You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make a gingerbread house from scratch. Equipped with gumdrops, licorice, peppermint and, of course, royal icing, this recipe is as fun to make as it is delicious.
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 1h30m
Yield One recipe of dough makes one
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Gingerbread House: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template: Two rectangles, 3 by 5 inches, to make the front and back of the house. Two rectangles, 3 by 5 1/2 inches for the roof. Two pieces for the ends of the house, 3 inches wide at the base, 3 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 5 1/2 inches from the bottom. Four smaller rectangles, 1 1/2 by 1 inch for the roof and sides of the entryway. And one piece, 2 inches wide at the base, 1 1/2 inches to the roof line, and slanted to a peak 2 1/2 inches from the bottom for the front of the entryway.
- Roll gingerbread dough out to edges on a large, rimless cookie sheet. Place paper patterns onto the rolled out dough. With a sharp, straight edged knife, cut around each of the pieces, but leave pieces in place.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for about 15 minutes until dough feels firm.
- Place patterns on top of the gingerbread again and trim shapes, cutting edges with a straight-edged sharp knife. Leave to cool on baking sheet.
- Place royal icing into pastry bag with a writing tip and press out to decorate individual parts of house, piping on decorations, windows, door, etc., as desired. Let dry until hardened.
- Glue sides, front and back of house together at corners using royal icing. Place an object against the pieces to prop up until icing is dry (it only takes a few minutes).
- Glue the two roof pieces to the pitched roofline of the house. Then, similarly, glue the sides and roof of the entryway together with icing. Attach the entryway to the front of the house.
- Continue decorating the house, gluing on gumdrops, licorice and peppermint, as desired.
- Mix all of the ingredients together using an electric hand mixer, until the icing is smooth and thin enough to be pressed through a pastry bag with a writing tip. Add more lemon juice, if necessary.
Tips:
- Use fresh ginger: Fresh ginger provides a more intense and flavorful taste compared to ground ginger.
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature: This will make it easier to cream together with the sugar and honey.
- Don't overbeat the icing: Overbeating can cause the icing to become too stiff and difficult to spread.
- If the icing is too thick, add a little bit of water or milk: This will help to thin it out and make it easier to spread.
- If the icing is too thin, add a little bit of powdered sugar: This will help to thicken it up and make it easier to work with.
- Let the icing set for at least 30 minutes before decorating: This will help it to harden and become more stable.
- Store the icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks: Before using, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Conclusion:
With so many variations to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect gingerbread icing recipe for your next holiday project. Just remember to have fun and let your creativity shine through!
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