FAQs
there's one key thing you should do if you want your house to stay put right off the bat – get the glue right. It's royal for a reason because royal icing is the king of glues for gingerbread houses. As my go-to choice for edible cement I can't really fault it's versatility and strength.
How to reinforce a gingerbread house? ›
So to make sure our walls could stand strong, we sandwiched melted marshmallow cement between two graham crackers. The marshmallow adds weight, which helps stabilize the structure. It also acts as a sealant, ensuring that the cracker won't crumble.
What is the trick to putting gingerbread house together? ›
Just melt the sugar in a pan over low heat. You want to allow it to turn brown, but make sure not to burn it (otherwise it won't taste so great). Then take your gingerbread house pieces, dip the edges in melted sugar and hold them together for a few seconds. That's it!
Should gingerbread house be hard or soft? ›
Gingerbread houses
The gingerbread for houses needs to be hard and dry so it keeps its shape well – it's unlikely you'll want to eat it on the day you make it after all your hard work! Gingerbread quantities for houses are quite large.
What is the best way to preserve a gingerbread house? ›
Storing Houses
Properly sealed and protected, you might be able to keep a gingerbread house looking good up to a year. If you are okay with making your house a non-edible creation, spray it with a clear lacquer, which is available at craft and hardware stores. You might need several coats for maximum protection.
What is the best ingredient to keep a gingerbread house from falling apart? ›
The best way to keep your gingerbread house from falling down is using a lot of the royal icing. It is your glue that holds everything together, so don't be stingy. It is also helpful to give the structure extra time to dry before adding decorations.
What is the best binder for gingerbread house? ›
Royal Icing is the best icing for building gingerbread houses, especially when you use meringue powder. It's the best way to hold your house together and decorate it, keeping your gingerbread creation looking beautiful, and preventing it from falling apart.
How do you keep a gingerbread house from collapsing? ›
Assemble In Advance
The royal icing (essentially the glue that holds up the walls) will have a chance to dry and make the structure sturdier, which will create a stronger base for the weight of the candy decorations.
What is the best material for a gingerbread house? ›
Pick a solid base for your gingerbread house - either a flat cookie sheet, or a thick, sturdy piece of cardboard. If you want, line the base with aluminum foil or wax paper. Mortar the sides of the house with royal icing: Pipe a thick line of icing along a short end of one of the side pieces.
How do you keep gingerbread house crisp? ›
To achieve crispy, sturdy gingerbread, Lomas recommends letting the baked gingerbread pieces dry out for a day or two. Don't put the pieces in the refrigerator or keep them in a closed container, as this keeps the moisture in. “The longer it dries out, the easier it is to work with for construction purposes,” she said.
“Most gingerbread disasters, collapses, and frustrations happen because the icing hasn't had an adequate amount of time to dry. It's not always easy for kids to be patient, so it's a good idea to have some other activity lined up in between steps to distract kids while they're waiting to work on the house.”
How to make the best gingerbread house tips? ›
Pre-decorate pieces
The trick is to keep your icing and any candy decorations (which you need to place while the icing is still wet) away from the edges and to allow them to dry for 20 minutes or until set, so you can assemble the pieces without accidental smudges.
What makes gingerbread houses stay together? ›
Fit Everything Together with Melted Sugar or Royal Icing
The second way is to use burnt sugar as your glue. Just melt C&H® Pure Granulated Cane Sugar in a pan on the stove, dip the gingerbread parts in and hold them together for a few seconds. Then, presto! You've created a solid house.
Why is my gingerbread house not sticking together? ›
Why do gingerbread houses fall apart? Gingerbread houses fall apart when you're not using the right icing. The icing that comes in gingerbread house kits is not sticky enough and does not have the right consistency. It also takes too long to dry, which causes gingerbread houses to fall apart.
Should you decorate or assemble gingerbread house first? ›
Decorate the house pieces before assembly.
It is easiest to decorate the sides and roof of the house before assembling, although you can add details after the house is assembled as well. Trace the doors and windows, you can add a border or white icing along the bottom of each piece to create snow drifts.
How long do gingerbread houses last after making? ›
You can keep a gingerbread house for years with proper storage. Our houses will stay fresh to eat for up to 12 months depending on how they are displayed and/or stored. Keep in mind that if you are displaying your decorated house, it will gather dust and other air particles.
Is it cheaper to make your own gingerbread house? ›
Gingerbread House Recipe FAQs:
You can make 8 houses for about $1.20 per house. That is less expensive than the kits you can buy at the store.