About 15 min · About 3 cups

Gingerbread House Icing

A stiff royal icing for gluing gingerbread walls and piping decorations. It dries hard.

Allergen: EggsDessertsChristmas / holiday cookiesBakingKid-friendlyGluten-free styleVegetarianNo porkNo beefDessertSauces & Basics

Allergen tags are cooking labels. They are not medical advice.

Ingredients

4 cups Powdered sugar, sifted
3 Tbsp Meringue powder
5–6 Tbsp Warm water

Method

Beat the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and 5 tablespoons of warm water on low until the sugar is wet, then on medium until the icing is thick, glossy, and holds a stiff peak. Add the last tablespoon of water only if it is too dry to spread.
Use it right away to glue walls and pipe lines. If the surface crusts in the bowl, lay a damp towel against it. Keep construction icing stiff. For finer piping, thin it with a few drops of water.
This icing dries hard. It is for building and decorating a gingerbread house, not for a soft layer on a cake.

Nutrition

Kitchen estimate only, not lab-verified. This is mostly powdered sugar. It is a construction icing, not a serving of food on its own.

Guest diet / allergy swaps

Short kitchen notes for guests. A fuller gluten-free or dairy-free ingredient list, when we have one, is in the panels below.

Gluten-free style
Powdered sugar and most meringue powders contain no wheat. Confirm the meringue powder label before you use this on a gluten-free house.
No eggs
Meringue powder is dried egg white. This stiff icing depends on it. A powdered-sugar and milk glaze will not hold a wall.
Dairy-free
The icing has no dairy as written. Do not thin it with milk.

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From Frank Vernon’s recipe collection. Any meringue powder works — no brand required.

Not medical advice. Allergen labels and swaps are for cooking convenience only — never a claim that a dish is “safe” for any condition, allergy severity, or dietary medical need. When in doubt, verify ingredients and ask a clinician or dietitian.