The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and of course, gingerbread houses! Building a gingerbread house is a fun and festive activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, no gingerbread house is complete without a delicious and easy-to-make icing. Whether you are a seasoned gingerbread house builder or a novice, this article will provide you with the perfect recipe for an easy icing that will make your gingerbread house look and taste amazing.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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.
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 HOUSE FROSTING
Share this kitchen-tested recipe from the Betty Crocker Kitchens with someone you love.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 15m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Beat all ingredients except food colors until smooth enough to spread, beating in additional milk if needed. Leave most of frosting white; remove and tint small amounts of frosting with food colors for decorating front of house.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize About 2 1/2 Tablespoons
GINGERBREAD HOUSES RECIPE BY TASTY
Ready to make your own Gingerbread Houses? Check out our guide and template for this recipe.
Provided by Vaughn Vreeland
Categories Desserts
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Grease the bottom and sides of a heavy-bottomed pot (such as a Dutch oven) with nonstick spray. This will ensure the dough doesn't stick to the pot as you turn it out.
- Melt the shortening in the greased pot over medium heat. Add the molasses and sugar, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat.
- Gradually stir in 4 cups (500 grams) of the flour mixture, 1 cup (125 grams) at a time, making sure to fully incorporate each addition before adding more. You'll have some of the flour mixture left over.
- Dust a work surface with some of the remaining flour mixture. Carefully turn the dough out onto the floured surface and work in the flour mixture. (You don't want the dough to be too crumbly. You may have some flour mixture left over, which can be used for rolling out the dough.)
- Once the flour is incorporated, shape the dough into a 12-inch (30.5 cm) log and cut into 3 portions, 1 piece slightly larger than the others for the roof.
- Set aside the smaller pieces of dough in the pot (it still should be warm, but not hot), cover with plastic wrap, and put the lid on. You'll want to work with the dough while it's warm as it tends to harden at room temperature. If it hardens, simply microwave for about 30 seconds.
- On the floured surface, roll out the larger piece of dough to a rectangle about ½-inch (1 ¼ cm) thick. Using a house template, cut the 2 pieces of the roof and set on a prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart as the dough will expand while baking.
- Roll out the rest of the dough and cut out the front, back, and sides of the house using the templates. Place on a baking sheet.
- Wrap the leftover dough in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 1 day. Microwave to soften and roll out to make decorations for the house or another gingerbread creation.
- Bake the gingerbread house pieces for 12-15 minutes, until they have hardened and baked through. Let cool completely.
- Make the royal icing: In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric hand mixer until frothy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup (120 grams) at a time, until the icing is smooth and thick. NOTE: The icing is used for gluing the house together. It's very thick. To use the icing for decorating, add about 1 teaspoon of water at a time to thin the icing to your desired consistency.
- Assemble the gingerbread house with the royal icing. TIP: Put the roof pieces side by side with the underside up (and the eventual exposed part of the roof down). "Glue" a cut piece of a paper shopping bag across these two pieces with royal icing. Place two small glass bowls on either side of this upside-down roof to prop the pieces up into a "V" shape. Let dry completely. When assembling, this will help ensure that your roof doesn't slip down the sides of the house.
- Decorate the house with more royal icing and your desired decorations.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 834 calories, Carbohydrate 142 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 8 grams, Sugar 96 grams
ROYAL ICING FOR GINGERBREAD HOUSE
This recipe is used to make our Swedish Gingerbread House, Gingerbread Facade, and Snow-Swept Gingerbread Cottage.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Yield Makes about 5 cups
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- With an electric mixer on low speed, beat ingredients until fluffy, 7 to 8 minutes. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container (royal icing hardens quickly when exposed to air) and refrigerate up to 1 week. Stir well with a flexible spatula before using.
- Thin icing as needed by stirring in additional water, one teaspoon at a time. For piping designs, add just enough water that icing is no longer stiff; for floodwork, add water until icing is the consistency of honey.
ROYAL ICING I
Perfect icing for your gingerbread houses!
Provided by Diane
Categories Desserts Frostings and Icings Cookie Frosting
Yield 32
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Beat egg whites in a clean, large bowl with mixer at high speed until foamy (use only grade A clean, uncracked eggs). Gradually add sugar and lemon extract. Beat at high speed until thickened.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 63.3 calories, Carbohydrate 15.6 g, Protein 0.5 g, Sodium 7.1 mg, Sugar 15.4 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 FOR A GINGERBREAD HOUSE
This recipe will see you through assembling and decorating a 6-by-7-inch gingerbread house with plenty left over for snowdrifts and other essentials.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 10m
Yield about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Combine the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder in a large bowl. Add the vanilla, the peppermint extract if using and 5 tablespoons water and beat on medium-high speed with an electric mixer, scraping down the sides as necessary, until the icing forms thick and glossy peaks, about 2 minutes, adding up to 1 tablespoon more water if needed. Divide the icing between 2 piping bags, one fitted with a small plain tip and the other fitted with a large plain tip.
EASY GINGERBREAD HOUSE
This easy recipe will give you one sturdy and aromatic gingerbread house with dough left over for cookies. Once you try this it will become a happy holiday tradition.
Provided by KathyMayhewHall
Categories Desserts Cookies Gingerbread Cookie Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cover a piece of heavy cardboard with aluminum foil or freezer paper, dull-side up, to make a base for the gingerbread house.
- Cut templates for the gingerbread house out of heavy cardboard or cardstock; label each piece.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 rimless baking sheets (or the back of rimmed baking sheets).
- Combine butter, brown sugar, molasses, and dark corn syrup in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat; stir until melted, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and mace until blended, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Sift flour into a large bowl. Stir into the butter mixture 2 cups at a time, mixing the last 2 cups by hand to create a warm, firm mass of dough. Place a large handful of dough on a greased baking sheet; roll out to 1/8-inch thickness. Keep remaining dough covered.
- Dust cardboard templates lightly with flour and place on top of dough; cut around templates with a sharp knife. Cut out doors or windows as desired. Cut shutters, door knobs, or other features from the scraps. Return remaining scraps to the covered pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until firm and slightly browned at the edges, 5 to 7 minutes for small pieces and 12 to 15 minutes for large pieces. Remove from the oven and place templates over the baked pieces; trim excess with a sharp knife to produce clean edges.
- Cool pieces on the baking sheet until firm, 5 to 10 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, 15 to 30 minutes.
- Combine confectioners' sugar, egg whites, cream of tartar, and white vinegar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until icing is stiff and shiny, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Stick candies and decorations over gingerbread pieces using royal icing. Let icing dry until hardened, about 5 minutes. Assemble gingerbread house pieces using icing. Let stand until icing is dry, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1132.1 calories, Carbohydrate 199.5 g, Cholesterol 81.3 mg, Fat 32.2 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 19.8 g, Sodium 488.2 mg, Sugar 83.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste and texture of your icing. Opt for fresh, pure ingredients whenever possible.
- Follow the recipe carefully: Icing recipes can vary in terms of ingredients and proportions, so it's important to follow the recipe you're using carefully. This will help ensure your icing turns out the way it's supposed to.
- Beat the icing until it reaches the desired consistency: The amount of time you beat the icing will affect its consistency. For a stiffer icing, beat for longer. For a softer icing, beat for less time.
- Use the right tools: A stand mixer or hand mixer will make it much easier to beat the icing until it's smooth and fluffy. If you're making a large batch of icing, a stand mixer is the way to go.
- Color the icing as desired: You can add food coloring to the icing to achieve your desired color. Start with a small amount of food coloring and add more as needed until you reach the desired shade.
- Let the icing set before using: Once you've applied the icing to your gingerbread house, let it set for at least 30 minutes before moving or decorating the house. This will help prevent the icing from sliding off or smudging.
Conclusion:
With a little planning and effort, you can easily make delicious and beautiful icing for your gingerbread house. By following these tips, you can create an icing that is the perfect consistency, color, and flavor for your holiday masterpiece. So get creative and have fun decorating your gingerbread house with your homemade icing!
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