When it comes to holiday traditions, few are as architecturally complex and hands-on as building a gingerbread house. (Here are our best tips for building your own!) Whether you use a kit or bake the gingerbread from scratch, one of the most important, if not the most important, elements is the icing. Set yourself up for success with the best gingerbread house icing, and you’ll have a masterpiece in no time. Get inspired with this collection of gingerbread houses.
Gingerbread Farm
Life on the farm is super sweet—when you live in this amazing gingerbread barn! Our cookie creation features animal treats, a pretzel stick fence and a silo made from shredded wheat.
Learn how to build a gingerbread house here.
Gingerbread Lodge
With a little effort, a basic A-frame gingerbread house kit becomes this snowy ski lodge. We used candy rocks for the exterior, rolled wafer cookies for exposed beams and a heaping helping of royal icing and coarse sugar for the snow-kissed rooftop.
Gingerbread Cabin
Who wouldn't want to curl up in this cozy gingerbread cabin? A basic A-frame kit gets dressed up with shredded wheat cereal, pretzel rods and candy rocks. Our favorite embellishment is the mounted candy "antlers" on the front door, made from a chocolate disc and broken pretzel pieces.
This charming gingerbread cottage tastes as good as it looks, thanks to the subtle molasses flavor in this easy dough. —Linda Railey, Des Moines, Iowa
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Gingerbread House with Chimney
Santa will be happy to land on the rooftop of this cute gingerbread house made from an A-frame kit. The impressive chimney made from graham crackers, icing and red chewy candy is just big enough for him to slide down.
Have a magical afternoon with your family creating this sweet little cottage. It is a fun kid-made surprise to bring to Grandma's house, too! —Blanche Comiskey, Franklin, Wisconsin
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To put a simple spin on the traditional gingerbread houses, we used purchased chocolate graham crackers. Make the "houses" ahead as an edible centerpiece, or let little elves assemble their own during your Christmas party. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Bring some holiday magic to your home with these cute gingerbread creations. The edible establishments are so easy to assemble and decorate with candies that your little elves can join in the fun. Serve them as a sweet snack or use to decorate a buffet table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Bring some holiday magic to your home with these cute creations. They're so easy to build and decorate with candies that your little elves can join in the fun. Serve them as a sweet snack or use to decorate.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Constructing a gingerbread cottage will become a tradition for your family during the holiday season with this easy recipe and instructions.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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I love to see the end of a project, like this Christmas cottage—but my favorite part is the process. It's fun to watch the gingerbread, icing and candy decorations come together creatively. —Johanna Rosson, Fort Hood, Texas
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This gingerbread house is a fun and tasty Christmas craft the whole family will enjoy putting together! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Complete your winter wonderland scene with a beautiful gingerbread house. You don't have to be an expert baker—or architect—to create this cozy cottage. Just follow the plans to make holiday magic for all to enjoy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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The A-frame design on this pretty country chalet is easy enough for even first-timers to make. So gather the kids or grandkids and have a blast creating this fun holiday project. —Peggy Anderson, Haughton, Louisiana
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Making a gingerbread house is a favorite tradition for my family during the holidays. We look forward to it every year. —A. Ruth Witmer, Stevens, Pennsylvania
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This colorful ranch house extends "Merry Christmas" wishes in true Southwest style. Constructed of sweet gingerbread, roofed in chewing gum tiles and decked with peppermint stick trims, icing and sprinkles, this adorable adobe "fixer-upper" comes with complete easy-to-follow directions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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We show just one way to decorate this cute little gingerbread house. Prepare several batches of dough (one batch at a time) and decorate a number of houses in different ways to create a gingerbread village. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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We came up with the "plans" for this Christmas gingerbread barn…then "stocked" it with farmyard friends. The country-as-can-be project will add a cheerful rustic touch to your holiday decor—and it's so easy to assemble, you can start raising the roof right away! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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We adapted this pretty gingerbread house from Ellen Wages in Vancleave, Mississippi…and came up with this petite version. Unlike Ellen's larger classroom house, it doesn't need to be constructed around a cardboard shell. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Here's a set of tasty house plans! You're sure to have a delectable gingerbread house using my recipe and building tips. —Christa Currie, Milwaukie, Oregon
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Gingerbread House Icing
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 4 to 5 tablespoons warm water
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Directions:
- In a large bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar with an electric mixer at low speed.
- Beat on high speed for 4-5 minutes or until mixture thickens. You’ll be looking for stiff peaks (check out our guide!) when you lift the beaters from the bowl.
- Transfer your icing to a pastry bag with your desired tip for icing.
Storage Tip: Cover any excess icing with a damp paper cloth, and if necessary, beat the icing on high to restore its texture before adding to the piping bag.
Why Does It Work?
This icing recipe, also known as royal icing, makes a great mortar to hold your gingerbread house together. It’s also ideal for making sugar decorations. Historically, royal icing covered fruitcake to keep it moist. Fruitcake is traditionally the wedding cake of English royalty, giving the icing its name. As it dries, it hardens to a candy-like consistency, ensuring your house stays up until after the holidays.
With this icing on hand, along with an array of other building materials, you’ll be ready to create a beautiful and festive centerpiece for your table or host your own gingerbread house decorating party. Happy building!
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The post This Is the Best Gingerbread House Icing appeared first on Taste of Home.
Alexa Hackfort
