Easy 2-Ingredient Gingerbread House Icing

Updated on: December 3, 2025

Rustic gingerbread loaf cake generously drizzled with thick white icing, showcasing a delicious gingerbread icing recipe.

Transform your holiday baking with the ultimate gingerbread house icing! This simple recipe uses just two common ingredients to create a robust, edible “glue” that holds your gingerbread creations together perfectly. Say goodbye to flimsy structures and hello to sturdy, beautifully decorated gingerbread houses. This quick and easy icing is your secret weapon for festive fun and delicious results.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread House Icing

Quick to Make: Whip up this essential gingerbread house icing in just five minutes, saving you precious time during the busy holiday season.
Simple Ingredients: You only need two pantry staples to create this reliable icing, making it incredibly accessible for any home baker.
Sturdy and Reliable: This icing sets firm, acting as strong, edible cement for building even the most elaborate gingerbread house designs.
Versatile for Decorating: Beyond houses, use it to adorn Christmas cookies, cupcakes, or any festive baked treats with intricate details.
Delicious and Edible: Enjoy a sweet, mild flavor that perfectly complements gingerbread, unlike some overly stiff or strong-tasting royal icing recipes.

Ingredients

Gather these two simple ingredients to make your perfect batch of gingerbread house icing:

2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons water (more or less as needed)

Notes & Substitutions

Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar, is crucial for this recipe. It contains a small amount of cornstarch, which helps the icing set firmly and prevents it from clumping. As explained by cooking experts, cornstarch in powdered sugar acts as an anti-caking agent, contributing to a more viscous and stable icing. This characteristic makes it ideal for a strong gingerbread house icing. For the smoothest consistency, always sift your powdered sugar before mixing. This removes any lumps, ensuring a perfectly creamy finish for your decorating. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can make your own by blending granulated sugar in a high-speed blender or food processor until it reaches a fine powder. Add a teaspoon of cornstarch per cup of granulated sugar before blending.

Feel free to enhance your icing with a touch of flavor. A quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract adds a lovely aroma. Lemon extract or even a little lemon juice can provide a bright, zesty note, complementing the rich gingerbread. To color your icing, use gel food coloring, which is concentrated and won’t thin out the consistency as much as liquid food coloring. Start with a tiny drop and add more until you achieve your desired vibrant shade.

Equipment

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for this straightforward recipe. Just grab a few basic kitchen tools:

Small or medium mixing bowl: Ideal for combining your ingredients without making a mess.
Whisk or spoon: Perfect for thoroughly mixing the sugar and water until smooth.
Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
Piping bags (or zip-top bags): Crucial for precise application of your gingerbread house icing when assembling and decorating.

Instructions

Creating this sturdy gingerbread house icing is incredibly simple, following these easy steps:

Combine Ingredients: In your medium mixing bowl, measure and add the 2 cups of powdered sugar. Then, pour in the initial 1 Tablespoon of water. Stir these two ingredients together using a spoon or whisk until they are mostly combined and appear dry and clumpy.
Add More Water Gradually: Next, add the second Tablespoon of water to the mixture. Continue stirring vigorously. At this point, the mixture will still look quite clumpy and thick, but persevere. Keep stirring, working out any lumps, until the mixture starts to come together and becomes smoother.
Achieve Smooth Consistency: Your goal is a smooth, thick, and spreadable consistency, almost like a very thick paste. This robust texture is exactly what you need for a reliable gingerbread house icing. Continue stirring until all the powdered sugar is incorporated and the icing is free of dry pockets.
Perform the Spoon Test: To check if your gingerbread house icing has the perfect consistency, perform the “spoon test.” Lift your spoon above the bowl and turn it over. The icing should remain on the spoon, clinging firmly without dripping or running off. If it drizzles off too easily, it is too thin for structural work.
Adjust Consistency: If your icing is too thin and runs off the spoon, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons more of powdered sugar at a time, stirring well after each addition until it reaches the desired thickness. Conversely, if the icing feels too thick and difficult to stir, add water, but only 1 teaspoon at a time. Mix thoroughly after each tiny addition until you achieve that perfect, non-drizzling consistency.
Prepare for Piping: Once your gingerbread house icing reaches the ideal thickness, transfer it to a piping bag. If you don’t have a dedicated piping bag, a sturdy zip-top bag works wonderfully. Simply spoon the icing into one corner of the bag, push out any excess air, and then snip a small piece off the tip of that corner. This allows for precise application, making assembly and decoration much easier.

Pro Tips for Perfect Gingerbread House Icing

Achieving the perfect gingerbread house icing is all about consistency and technique. Follow these tips for flawless results every time:

Emphasize Thick Consistency: Always aim for a very thick, almost paste-like consistency. This is crucial for creating strong structural integrity that can hold gingerbread walls firmly in place without collapsing.
Gradual Water Addition: Add water sparingly, one teaspoon at a time, after the initial two tablespoons. It is much easier to add more water to thin out thick icing than to add more sugar to thicken runny icing.
Low Speed for Mixers: If using an electric mixer, choose a low speed setting. High speeds can incorporate too much air, leading to bubbles and a less stable, sometimes crumbly, icing that won’t hold up.
Piping Bag Precision: Utilize a piping bag with a small snip or a thin round tip. This allows for controlled application, crucial for neat assembly and intricate decorating details on your gingerbread house.
Quick-Drying Time: This icing dries relatively quickly, so work efficiently when assembling your gingerbread house components. Have all your pieces ready to go before you start applying the icing.
Troubleshoot Runny or Too Thick: If your icing is too runny, gradually add more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired thickness. If it’s too thick and hard to pipe, add water one teaspoon at a time until it becomes more pliable.

Serving, Storage & Variations

This versatile gingerbread house icing is perfect for more than just building; it’s also delicious and keeps well.

Serving Suggestions

Use this robust icing as the perfect edible glue for your gingerbread house walls and roof pieces. Its strong hold ensures your festive creation stands tall. Beyond structural support, it’s fantastic for decorating various Christmas cookies with intricate patterns, snowflakes, or borders. Pipe it onto cupcakes or other baked goods for a sweet, firm topping that holds its shape. You can even use this recipe to construct and decorate charming graham cracker houses with children.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftover gingerbread house icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. If using a piping bag, tightly cover the tip with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out and hardening. This helps keep the tip soft and ready for your next decorating session. Before using chilled icing, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then give it a quick stir to restore its smooth consistency.

Flavor Variations

Get creative with your gingerbread house icing by adding different extracts. A dash of peppermint extract brings a cool, festive twist, while orange extract offers a bright, citrusy note. You can also incorporate a pinch of spices like a gingerbread spice blend (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves) for an extra layer of warmth and flavor. For a fresh, vibrant taste, grate in some lemon or orange zest, which pairs wonderfully with sweet treats.

Nutrition Information

This nutrition information is an estimate based on the ingredients used and may vary depending on specific brands and preparation methods. It’s provided for informational purposes only.

Nutrient	Amount per serving (1/12th recipe)
Calories	100 kcal
Total Fat	0g
Sodium	0mg
Total Carbs	26g
Sugars	25g
Protein	0g

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use regular granulated sugar?
No, powdered sugar is essential for this recipe. Its fine texture and added cornstarch create the smooth, stable, and quick-setting consistency needed for sturdy gingerbread house icing.

How long does gingerbread house icing take to harden?
This icing begins to set within 15-30 minutes, but it typically takes a few hours to fully harden and become structurally sound. For best results, allow at least 2-4 hours before moving your gingerbread house.

Can I prepare this icing ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this gingerbread house icing up to 3-5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and bring it to room temperature before using for easier piping.

What if my icing is too thin/thick?
If your icing is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. If it’s too thick, add water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Conclusion

You now have the ultimate recipe for easy 2-ingredient gingerbread house icing that is both sturdy and delicious. This simple yet effective method ensures your holiday baking endeavors are stress-free and full of festive cheer. Forget complicated recipes; Lily Hanna brings you the beginner-friendly solution for a perfect gingerbread construction. Get ready to build, decorate, and enjoy a beautifully crafted gingerbread house this season!