What Is The Best Thing To Hold A Gingerbread House Together?

The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and good cheer. And what better way to celebrate than with a delicious gingerbread house? But if you’ve ever tried to make one, you know that they can be a bit tricky to keep together. The walls are thin and the roof is heavy, and if you’re not careful, the whole thing will come crashing down.

So what’s the best way to hold a gingerbread house together? There are a few different methods, but the most effective is to use a combination of royal icing and toothpicks.

Royal Icing

Royal icing is a mixture of confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, and water. It’s used to decorate gingerbread houses because it’s strong and dries quickly. To make royal icing, simply combine 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar with 3 egg whites and 1 tablespoon of water. Beat until stiff peaks form.

Toothpicks

Toothpicks are another great way to hold a gingerbread house together. They’re strong and thin, so they can be easily inserted into the gingerbread without damaging it. To use toothpicks, simply insert them into the corners of the walls and roof. You can also use them to attach the roof to the walls.

Other Methods

In addition to royal icing and toothpicks, there are a few other methods you can use to hold a gingerbread house together. These include:

• Gumdrops: Gumdrops are a classic way to decorate gingerbread houses, but they can also be used to hold them together. Simply glue the gumdrops to the edges of the walls and roof.
• Marshmallows: Marshmallows are another great way to hold a gingerbread house together. They’re soft and sticky, so they’ll help to keep the walls and roof in place. To use marshmallows, simply spread them on the edges of the walls and roof and then press them together.
• Chocolate: Chocolate is a delicious way to hold a gingerbread house together. Simply melt some chocolate and then dip the edges of the walls and roof into it. The chocolate will harden and help to keep the house together.

Tips for Keeping Your Gingerbread House Together

Here are a few tips for keeping your gingerbread house together:

• Make sure the gingerbread is dry before assembling it. If the gingerbread is wet, it will be more difficult to hold together.
• Use a sturdy base. The base of your gingerbread house should be made of something that is strong and stable, such as a cookie sheet or a piece of cardboard.
• Apply the royal icing liberally. The more royal icing you use, the stronger your gingerbread house will be.
• Insert the toothpicks deeply. The toothpicks should be inserted at least 1 inch into the gingerbread.
• Let the gingerbread house dry completely before decorating it. This will help to ensure that it is strong and stable.

Conclusion

With a little care and attention, you can easily create a beautiful and delicious gingerbread house that will be the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations. Just remember to use a combination of royal icing and toothpicks to hold it together, and you’ll be sure to have a success.

Questions and Answers

Q: Can I use hot glue to hold my gingerbread house together?

A: No, hot glue is not recommended for holding gingerbread houses together. The heat from the glue can melt the gingerbread and cause the house to collapse.

Q: How long will a gingerbread house last?

A: A gingerbread house will last for several weeks if it is stored in a cool, dry place. However, it is important to note that the gingerbread will eventually become stale and the icing will harden.

Q: Can I make a gingerbread house without using any sugar?

A: Yes, it is possible to make a gingerbread house without using any sugar. However, the gingerbread will be less sweet and may not be as sturdy. To make a sugar-free gingerbread house, simply substitute sugar-free sweetener for the sugar in the recipe.