How do you stick a ginger bread house together?

The Essential Supplies

* Royal Icing: The traditional and best glue for gingerbread houses. You'll need a good amount, as you'll use it to secure walls, roof, and any decorative pieces.

* Piping Bag: A good quality piping bag with a round tip (size 3-4) makes icing application easier.

* Serrated Knife: Useful for trimming excess gingerbread and smoothing icing.

* Small Decorating Brush (optional): For smoothing icing seams.

Construction Steps

1. Prepare the Icing: Make sure your royal icing is of the right consistency. It should be thick enough to hold its shape but not so thick it's difficult to pipe.

2. Build the Walls:

* Apply a thick layer of royal icing to the bottom edges of the wall pieces.

* Carefully join the walls together, pressing firmly to secure them.

* Use the tip of your piping bag to fill any gaps.

3. Add the Roof:

* Apply icing to the top edges of the walls, making sure it's evenly distributed.

* Gently place the roof pieces on top, pressing down firmly.

* If the roof is too heavy, you can use additional supports inside the house (e.g., toothpicks) until the icing sets.

4. Secure Decorative Elements:

* Pipe icing onto the base of candy decorations or other embellishments before pressing them onto the house.

5. Let It Set:

* Allow the gingerbread house to dry completely before handling it. It might take several hours, depending on the humidity and thickness of the icing.

Tips for Success

* Use a Level Surface: Ensure your workspace is flat to prevent your house from leaning.

* Don't Overfill: Avoid overfilling the house with icing, as it can create a messy look.

* Work Quickly: Icing starts to set quickly, so work efficiently and have everything prepped and ready.

* Don't Be Afraid to Reinforce: If you're concerned about your house's stability, you can use toothpicks or other supports to reinforce it.

* Let It Sit: After construction, allow the house to sit undisturbed for a few hours to give the icing a chance to fully set.

Enjoy Your Creation!

Remember, decorating your gingerbread house is part of the fun! Let your imagination run wild, and be sure to take lots of pictures of your masterpiece.