By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 4
5 min
Royal Icing for Gingerbread House
Recipe GLPRcfdb26cbb38535
A classic, stiff royal icing made with egg white and powdered sugar. Perfect for decorating and structurally securing gingerbread house pieces together. This smooth, glossy icing hardens to a firm finish ideal for piping details and creating decorative borders.
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Ingredients
1 large egg white (2 tablespoons)
3 cups powdered sugar
Directions
Place the egg white in a clean, dry mixing bowl. Make sure the bowl and all utensils are free from any grease or yolk to ensure proper whipping.
Gradually add the powdered sugar to the egg white, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition to combine thoroughly.
Continue adding powdered sugar and stirring until the mixture becomes thick, smooth, and bright white with a spreadable consistency that will hold peaks. The icing should be stiff enough to pipe decorative details but soft enough to adhere to gingerbread pieces.
Use immediately for piping borders, securing gingerbread walls, and adding decorative details to your house. If the icing begins to set before you finish decorating, gently stir in a few drops of water to restore the working consistency.
Comments
Royal icing is a Charlotte staple for holiday baking and both ingredients are stocked year-round at every chain—egg whites cost under $2 and powdered sugar runs $1–2 per box. The five-minute claim is honest for mixing, though it glosses over the 30–60 minutes of drying time needed before the icing holds structure on walls or creates decorative piping. This is a same-night, temperature-sensitive affair that does not reheat: you assemble while it sets, and any leftover icing hardens by morning unless sealed airtight. Budget time for the cure, especially in humid Charlotte winters, and keep it away from kids or pets until it fully hardens.
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